“To Families’ Dismay, Biden Nursing Home Reform Doesn’t View Them as Essential Caregivers,” by Judith Graham, Kaiser Health News  Quote: “When the Biden administration announced a set of proposed nursing home reforms last month, consumer advocates were both pleased and puzzled. The reforms call for minimum staffing requirements, stronger regulatory oversight, and better public information about nursing home quality — measures advocates have promoted for years. Yet they don’t address residents’ rights to have contact with informal caregivers — family members and friends who provide both emotional support and practical assistance.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term
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  “Bill would reform tax code to make long-term care insurance more affordable, accessible,” by Lois A. Bowers, McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Legislation introduced last week in the House of Representatives would reform the tax code in an effort to make long-term care insurance more affordable and accessible for older adults. It has the backing of Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association. … The act would permit people to withdraw funds from their 401(k) accounts, 403(b) accounts and individual retirement accounts to pay for long-term care insurance. Up to $2,500 of a withdrawal used to pay for long-term care insurance would
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  “Lincoln Financial Group Enhances Long-term Care Benefits Experience Through Partnership with LTCG,” Lincoln Financial Group Quote: “Lincoln Financial Group announced today that as part of its commitment to enhancing the customer experience, policy holders with the company’s long-term care planning solutions will soon have access to enhanced digital capabilities, including functionality that will allow them to track their claim status online. These features are the result of an expanded partnership with LTCG, a leading independent third-party administrator. LTCG will handle claims administration and management for Lincoln Financial’s long-term care riders beginning in the first quarter of 2022.”   LTC
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  “Former CMS leader rips Biden’s nursing home reform plans,” by Danielle Brown, McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “President Joe Biden’s proposals to reform America’s nursing homes are ‘short-sighted’ and may push providers over the edge during the ongoing workforce crisis, the former leader of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Monday.  Biden’s reform plan was unveiled earlier this month. It includes more than 20 initiatives to improve quality of care, with minimum staffing requirements a top priority. The effort, however, could ‘decimate’ the nursing home industry if it fails to address underlying funding and workforce challenges, warned Seema Verma, CMS administrator during
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  “S&P Global Upgrades Genworth,” by Allison Bell, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “A rating agency says Genworth Financial — a company that has faced years of epic battles with long-term care insurance pricing problems — is looking healthier. S&P Global Ratings announced Friday that it had increased the long-term issuer credit rating it has assigned the Richmond, Virginia-based company to B+, from B. For retirement and long-term care planners, the news may be one of several signs that the market for LTCI coverage and other long-term care benefits products might be starting to come back to life.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A.
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  “Walmart partnership provides lifeline to family caregivers,” by Diane Eastabrook, McKnight’s Home Care Quote: “Walmart is lending a helping hand to unpaid family caregivers through a new partnership with human transformation company BetterUp. The two companies launched BetterUp for Caregivers late last week, a subscription service that connects caregivers to live programming, community support, self-guided programs and a variety of on-demand solutions. … Caregivers who subscribe to the service can access 25-minute courses on how to deal with stress and find balance in their lives. BetterUp estimates there are about 53 million people nationwide providing free care to family and friends.
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