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Advocacy Facilities News Overview

Oversight of Nursing Homes

In addition to concerns on staffing and finances at nursing homes, which has led directly to neglect of residents, DignityMA is also perplexed at the seeming lack of oversight and enforcement from the state. Download, or scroll to read, a letter to the Commissioner of the MA Dept of Public Health, Robert Goldstein. A July […]

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Facilities News Spotlight Worker Support

2024-07-23 Spotlight: Athena nursing home workers say medical bills still going unpaid

The Connecticut MirrorBy Jenna Carlesso and Dave Altimari, July 21, 2024 Athena nursing home workers say medical bills still going unpaid [Jamie] Iszczak, 45, said the problems started after Athena Health Care Systems — one of the largest nursing home chains in the state and the company where she has worked as a certified nursing […]

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Facilities News Spotlight

2024-07-2024 Spotlight: ‘A dog pound would be better.’ Inside one of the most-fined nursing homes in Mass.

Mass Live, By Greta Jochem, July 14, 2024 ‘A dog pound would be better.’ Inside one of the most-fined nursing homes in Mass. This article details the poor living conditions and care provided at Highview of Northampton, a nursing home in Massachusetts. Here are the key takeaways: Highlights from the report:

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Facilities Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Support News Spotlight

2024-06-25 Spotlight: Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Olmstead Decision

Supreme Court outlawed segregation of disabled people 25 years ago. But change has come slowly STAT, June 21, 2024By Timmy Broderick As a toddler, Veronica Ayala loved Fridays. At 5 o’clock sharp, her mom whisked her away from the grim Moody State School for Cerebral Palsied Children for a 48-hour reprieve. Ayala’s house was mere […]

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Facilities Federal Legislation Long Term Services and Support News Policy

Consumer Voice Statement on H.J. Res. 139 –A Resolution to Block Staffing Standards in Nursing Homes

On May 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule implementing a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes.  The rule will require that nursing homes have a registered nurse on-site 24 hours per day, seven days per week, meet modest minimum staffing requirements, use evidence-based, data-driven methods when determining […]

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Actions Advocacy Facilities Holyoke Soldiers' Home News

Amendment #60 to Senate Bill S.2817  An Act honoring, empowering, and recognizing our service members and veterans

Please support this amendment by contacting your Senator via the Dignity Alliance MA Take Action Page. Senator Lydia Edwards moves to amend Senate Bill 2817, by inserting after section 123, the following new section: Veterans Small Homes Plan SECTION  XX.

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Facilities Long Term Services and Support News Spotlight Worker Support

2024-06-10 Spotlight: Is long-term care evolving or devolving?

Is long-term care evolving or devolving? McKnight’s Long-Term Care NewsBy John O’Connor, editorial director for McKnight’s Long-Term Care NewsJune 9, 2024 With the midyear mark rapidly approaching, this might be a good time to consider the current state of long-term care.  But rather than make an argument whether conditions for operators are getting better or […]

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Facilities Long Term Services and Support News Spotlight

2024-06-10 Spotlight: AG Settles with Nursing Home Chain

AG Campbell Announces $4 Million Settlement With Nursing Home Chain For Significant Staffing And Care Failures Resulting In Resident Neglect Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea CampbellJune 10, 2024  As part of the AG’s largest ever nursing home settlement, Next Step Healthcare will pay $4 million to resolve allegations, improve staffing levels, and agree to […]

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Facilities News Spotlight

2024-06-04 Spotlight: Caring for your loved ones is their business, not their concern

Caring for your loved ones is their business, not their concern By John and Terri Hale, John and Terri Hale own The Hale Group, an Iowa-based firm advocating for high-quality nursing home care for everyone, all the time.  Contact: terriandjohnhale@gmail.com*The Gazette, June 2, 2024 The Biden Administration recently finalized a rule that would require nursing […]

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Facilities Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Support News Study Session

Bringing People Home – On Marsters for guardians, and supported decision-making personnel

May 29, 2024: A webinar explaining the Marsters v. Healey Settlement Agreement, was prepared especially for guardians, supporters in supported decision-making arrangements, and other advocates. The objectives of the webinar are to review basic provisions of the Agreement and review rights available for residents. The agreement has been finalized. For more information, see our Marsters […]