Long-term care providers around the country were warned by several federal government agencies about increased malicious cyber activities resulting from heightened tensions between the United States and Iran this week. U.S. officials point out the fact that the Iranian regime actors and proxies have initiated destructive attacks against United States infrastructure. While there are currently no specific threats against U.S., in light of recent cyber crimes against LTC providers in Wisconsin, WHCA/WiCAL members are strongly encouraged to remain vigilance in cyber safety.
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WHCA/WiCAL previously reported that DHS was working with CMS to get approval for the 2020 Direct Care Workforce Funding initiative secured. Last week, DHS officials shared that CMS did not approve the proposal to make the funds available through a one-time payment.
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WHCA/WiCAL sent letters to both Wisconsin Senators this week calling on them to support critical workforce initiatives for Wisconsin's long-term care providers, including legislation that would stop the CNA training lockout, and request that CMS approve funding for the WisCaregiver Career Program, an innovative and groundbreaking program which has been replicated in fifteen other states and Canada.
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WHCA/WiCAL is pleased to announce that attendee and exhibitor registration for the 2020 Spring Conference is now available. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency, in downtown Green Bay on April 1-3, 2020.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) last week announced that our state has seen 459 hospitalizations for influenza this season, more than three times as many than at this time last year.
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Bipartisan legislation that permits certain Physician Assistants (PAs) and advanced practice nurses (APRNs) to make professional, medical determinations required under those statutes passed on a 4-1 vote in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services earlier this week.
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Some $1.4 trillion in spending was approved in December to fund the government through the rest of the fiscal year and avoid a potential shutdown. The two agreements (H.R. 1158 and H.R. 1865) include nearly $50 billion in new spending.
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The deadline to apply for an AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award is quickly approaching on January 23, 2020 at 7 p.m. CST! An application can be submitted regardless of whether or not you submitted an Intent to Apply payment, so don’t delay and start your application today through the Quality Award Portal.
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DHS alerted all Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) this week that regulated health care facilities that DQA systems will be unavailable from 9 a.m.-2p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2020.
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently awarded a contract to Superior Health Quality Alliance to serve as a Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. This contract runs through November 2024.
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True sunshine. Those are just two words used to describe Christy Hinkle, a long-time social services director who is known at Hillcrest Health and Rehabilitation in Corbin, Ky., for brightening the day of everyone she comes in contact with. Other words like compassionate, understanding, and loving are spoken.
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Late last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the Calendar Year 2020 Physician Fee Schedule Payment Final Rule.
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The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care (BNHRC) invites nursing home providers to participate in the upcoming Nursing Home Forums to participate in discussions regarding quality improvement in nursing home settings.
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According to a report released by the Wisconsin Hospital Association this week, Wisconsin hospitals and health systems, including physician offices, outpatient care centers, and nursing and community care facilities, have a more than $119 billion total economic impact in the state.
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Starting December 19, LTC Trend Tracker users have access to a tool that shows what is determining their Five-Star Quality Measure ratings and how they can improve.
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Following a final push, the WHCA/WiCAL Political Action Committee (PAC) has SURPASSED our annual fundraising goal. Because of the generosity of members, business partners, and stakeholders, we have blown past our $20,000 annual goal and raised a total of $23,632!
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The Wisconsin Long-Term Care Workforce Alliance has set its four quarterly meetings for 2020.
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According to a report released this week, Wisconsin ranks higher than average for per capita healthcare spending and a high percentage of residents that report affordability issues.
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