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March 22, 2016
Older Americans Act Passes in the House!
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016! After months of negotiations between House members on the House Education and Workforce Committee, an agreement has been reached on the House's version of the Senate-passed S.192 Older Americans Act (OAA) bill and includes provisions that would make the long-term care ombudsman program more effective and help long-term care consumers. The bill will reauthorize the current OAA, which expired in 2011.
House S.192 includes provisions clarifying both organizational and individual conflicts of interest within the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; improving resident access to ombudsmen; better protecting the confidentiality of ombudsman information; ensuring that State Ombudsmen receive ongoing training; and, permitting ombudsmen, when feasible, to continue to serve residents transitioning from a long-term care facility to a home care setting.
Read Consumer Voice's letter in support of the bill, and find more information on the Consumer Voice website.
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CMS Memorandum on Electronic Staffing Data Submission
CMS issued a memorandum related to Electronic Staffing Data Submission (Payroll-Based Journal – PBJ). The purpose of the memo is to remind providers about the mandatory reporting period starting on July 1, and to encourage facilities to submit data during the voluntary period. The memorandum includes instructions on how to register and submit data. It also notifies stakeholders of the posting of the revised and final PBJ policy manual and related information. Read the memorandum here.
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Consumer Voice Signs Onto Letter Opposing Act that Would Limit Legal Rights of Residents and Families
Twenty-nine groups, including Consumer Voice, have signed onto a letter that protests H.R. 4771, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2016. The bill would establish a $250,000 cap on compensation for non-economic damages because of medical malpractice. It would limit the legal rights of injured patients and families of those killed by negligent health care. The bill's scope would not only cover cases involving medical malpractice but also cases involving unsafe drugs and nursing home abuse and neglect.
Read the letter here. Voice your opposition to the HEALTH Act by sending a letter to your U.S. Representative.
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Case Study Highlights Success of PHI's Training to Prevent Adult Abuse and Neglect Program
PHI has recently published a case study on the success of their Training to Prevent Adult Abuse and Neglect program. This train-the-trainer curriculum was rolled out last year across the state of Michigan. The program helps direct-access staff in nursing homes and HCBS to develop the skills they need to manage stress, communicate effectively, and problem solve.. The case study acts as a resource for learning more about this approach to preventing abuse. Find out more information and read the case study on PHI's website.
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Remember - National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16
National Healthcare Decisions Day is only a couple of weeks away! Please join Consumer Voice and Americans across the country in making future healthcare decisions known to family, friends and healthcare providers. Share your wishes and complete your advance directive, because your decisions matter! Learn more about National Healthcare Decisions Day and get free information at www.nhdd.org.
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Spotlight on Educational Resources
The Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) have a multitude of resources available online covering a wide range of long-term care topics. Visit the Consumer Voice website and the NORC website to explore all the available resources. Take a look at this week's highlighted resource:
Improving Nurse Staffing - This Consumer Voice issue page provides a wide array of resources and information on improving staffing in nursing homes. It covers minimum staffing standards, state staffing bills, how staffing improves quality care and more.
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In this Issue
Older Americans Act Passes in the House!
CMS Memorandum on Electronic Staffing Data Submission
Consumer Voice Signs onto Letter Opposing Act that Would Limit Legal Rights of Residents and Families
Case Study Highlights Success of PHI's Training to Prevent Adult Abuse and Neglect Program
Remember - National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16
Spotlight on Educational Resources
Combined Federal Campaign
#10552
Thank you for your support!
Residents' Rights Month 2016
Stay tuned for more information!
Calendar of Events
Saturday, April 16: National Healthcare Decisions Day
October: My Vote Matters, Residents' Rights Month 2016
November 2-5, 2016: Consumer Voice 40th Annual Conference, Arlington, VA
Join the conversation and follow us on social media!
Last Week's Most Popular Post:
Tuesday, March 15:
"What is an ombudsman? "It's a resource, it's an advocate, but it's just a phone call away."
Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:
Wednesday, March 16:
What is an ombudsman? "It's a resource, it's an advocate, but it's just a phone call away."
Long-Term Care Resources & News
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