“Why Nursing Homes Are Pandemic Hotbeds (Guest: Stephen Moses),” by AnneMarie Schieber, Heartland Podcast   Quote: “Rich or poor, nearly 60 percent of care in nursing homes is paid by taxpayers under Medicaid. This has led to crowded, poorly staff situations that made it easy for an invisible virus to run like wildfire. Stephen Moses describes how Medicaid has exceeded its mission in paying for long term care for the medically needy or those with little to no income and now pays for care for nearly anyone. This giveaway has been a disincentive for people to save for long term
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“Covid-19: Don’t Mess With My Retirement,” by Ken Dychtwald and Bob Morison, Forbes     Quote: “This is the first in a 10-part series on “The Future of Retirement” that we will be posting over the next several months. If you are interested in better understanding what’s ahead – we invite you to check out our new book What Retirees Want: A Holistic View of Life’s Third Age.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Timely advice from the Age Wave guru.      
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“COVID-19 has not changed consumer sentiment toward seniors housing: survey,” by Kimberly Bonvissuto, McKnight’s Senior Living   Quote: “The COVID-19 crisis has not changed consumer sentiment much toward independent living and assisted living, according to preliminary findings from a national survey. … Among survey respondents, 61% report no change in their opinion about independent living since the onset of the pandemic, although most who have changed their opinion (35%) report having a less favorable opinion. More than half (53%) of adult children surveyed report no change in their opinion of assisted living, although 36% report a less favorable opinion and
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“Coalition forms to oppose potential long-term care budget cuts,” by Michael Goldberg, Washington State Wire   Quote: “A group of Long-Term Care advocates in Washington State have formed a coalition in response to potential budget cuts to services utilized by senior citizens and people with disabilities. The coalition — which includes AARP, SEIU 775, Washington Health Care Association, Casa Latina, and several other organizations — formed after a budget reduction exercise conducted by the Office of Financial Management (OFM) indicated that as much as $220 million in cuts to aging and long-term care services could occur to help balance the state budget.” LTC Comment
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“OSHA blasted for inaction on COVID-19 pleas,” by Alicia Lasek, McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “Complaint logs reveal thousands of ‘desperate pleas’ to a workplace safety agency for protective gear by staff at nursing homes, hospitals and medical offices. Unfulfilled requests may have contributed to worker deaths, according to a new report. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has logged more than 4,1000 COVID-related complaints since March. At least 35 healthcare workers died after the agency received safety complaints about their workplaces. But the agency had ‘quietly closed almost all of those complaints, and none of them led to a citation
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“Long Term Care Insurance — Act Now!,” by Terry Savage, TerrySavage.com Quote: “One of the most tragic aspects of the coronavirus pandemic is that as of June 3, 42% of all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have come from nursing homes or assisted-living facilities. The statistics reinforce every senior’s desire to remain at home in his or her final years, which is only possible if you have the resources to afford this very expensive home health care — or if you have long-term care (LTC) insurance. Otherwise, state Medicaid programs provide care for the impoverished, though mostly in institutions. Perhaps
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“‘Sin Taxes’ Could Help States in Pandemic Budget Slump (at Least a Little Bit),” by Elaine S. Povich, Quote: “Gas tax revenue plummeted this spring, income taxes won’t rebound anytime soon and some states are offering a property tax holiday because people can’t pay during the pandemic. But so-called sin taxes are rolling in as liquor stores boom, marijuana sales continue, vapers vape and smokers smoke. …Taxes on those items often are more politically palatable because they generally affect a smaller portion of the population and the purchases are seen more as a choice than a necessity.” LTC Comment (from
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