Articles and Blogs

Year: 2013

Could Growing Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Problem Lead to the End of Antibiotics?

[03/06/13]

Posted on March 6, 2013 in Health Law News, Long-Term Care, Home Health & Hospice

Published by: Hall Render

McKnight’s published an article this morning on the rise in Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in long-term care facilities.  The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) states these bacteria kill about half of all people who become infected, and are resistant to antibiotic treatments.  These CRE bacteria are even resistant to the antibiotics “of last resort” and can transfer... READ MORE

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States Continue Consideration of Medicaid Expansion and Insurance Exchanges

[03/04/13]

Posted on March 4, 2013 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

On February 26, 2013, Chris Christie, the Governor of New Jersey, announced his support of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid Expansion.  Christie is the eighth Republican governor to announce support of the expansion for his/her state.  The Medicaid Expansion will be fully funded by the federal government for the initial three years of the... READ MORE

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HITECH Final Rule – Impact on Notice of Privacy Practices

[03/01/13]

Posted on March 1, 2013 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

On January 25, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) formally published its Omnibus Final Rule (“Final Rule”), which includes modifications to the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”) and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”).  Because the Final Rule covers... READ MORE

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CMS Expected to Postpone Compliance Program Enforcement

[03/01/13]

Posted on March 1, 2013 in Long-Term Care, Home Health & Hospice

Written by: Bufford, David W.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has unofficially announced it will not be enforcing the upcoming March 23rd compliance program requirements until final regulations are published.  As required under the Affordable Care Act, nursing facilities are required to have a compliance program in place by March 23, 2013.  Despite ambiguity in the actual statute,... READ MORE

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This Week in Washington – March 1, 2013

[03/01/13]

Posted on March 1, 2013 in Federal Advocacy

Written by: John Williams

Competing Sequester Alternatives Rejected On February 28, the U.S. Senate rejected competing sequester replacement proposals killing the last legislative options prior to the spending cuts going into effect on March 1. The Senate voted on both a Republican and Democrat plan designed to help the parties position themselves after the budget cuts begin to take... READ MORE

FDA Seeks Comments on Design of Medical Devices for Home Use

[03/01/13]

Posted on March 1, 2013 in Long-Term Care, Home Health & Hospice

Written by: Kendra Conover

The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) is seeking comments on a draft guidance entitled “Design Considerations for Devices Intended for Home Use.”  The draft guidance urges manufacturers to “design out” product risks and consider usability and training for medical devices intended for use in a home environment.  The deadline for submitting comments on the... READ MORE

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