Of Special Note
We look forward to seeing many of you next week in Redmond. In the meantime, there has been a lot of action this week we want to be sure you’re aware of.
CMS recently made two major announcements which we want to ensure our members are aware of:
1. CMS announces via CMS Memo QSO-23-13-ALL it will soon end the provider staff vaccination requirement. We anticipate Oregon Health Authority will also announce plans to pullback the vaccine requirement. We will update you as we learn more.
2. A new proposed rule is expected this spring regarding cultural competency. Very little is known about this rule at this time, and these are the details we know so far.
Take action to support our workforce! Thousands of desperately needed foreign-born healthcare workers are poised to come to the U.S. but cannot due to the federal government’s backlogged and overburdened visa processing operations. Ask congress to speed up employment based visa approvals.
LeadingAge national partners with the Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service
The deadline for the LeadingAge Nursing Home Salary & Benefits study has been extended to May 22nd.
The participant rate for members is $175 (prepaid) or $195 (billed). Questionnaires are available at: www.hhcsinc.com. Members may contact Rich Cioffe, [email protected] for an extension or with any questions. The Nursing Home Report is published in late July.
Oregon News
Yesterday and today Republican Senators lead a walkout and the Senate failed to reach the 20-member threshold with 12 absences, five of them unexcused. These are the first legislative walkouts of the current session. Last November, Measure 113 was passed by voters and prevents any legislator with 10 unexcused absences from running for reelection.
DHS Provider Alerts You May Have Missed:
*Please note the State frequently modifies the alerts and it breaks the links provided below. If you have any issues, this link should always take you to all of the alerts.
ODHS-23-029-CBC-NF - Review CMS Memo QSO-23-13-ALL - COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
ODHS-23-030-CBC - 2023 Provider Guide
National News
FDA Authorizes RSV Vaccine
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on May 3 authorized the first ever vaccine against Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV). Read the press release here. Nursing homes should follow up with their long-term care pharmacies for more information and planning.
States Receive $382M from National Housing Trust Fund
On May 3, HUD allocated $382 million to states for the production and operation of housing for households with extremely low incomes. The national Housing Trust Fund’s resources can be used by states for real property acquisition, site improvements and development hard costs, related soft costs, demolition, financing costs, relocation assistance, operating cost assistance for rental housing (up to 30% of each grant), and reasonable administrative and planning costs. The funds are often paired with other state-generated or state-controlled housing resources. Funding for the national Housing Trust Fund is not appropriated by Congress; rather, the “housing Government Sponsored Enterprises,” Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, contribute a percentage of their new business volume to the Housing Trust Fund. Because Fannie and Freddie business volume has slowed as the home buying and refinancing market has slowed, contributions to the Housing Trust Fund have decreased. In 2022, Fannie and Freddie contributed $749 million to the Housing Trust Fund compared to $382 million in 2023. See the new 2023 Housing Trust Fund state allocations here (this chart also includes fiscal year 2023 state allocations from HUD’s HOME and Community Development Block Grant programs). These state offices receive the national Housing Trust Funds and administer them for their states.
Resources & Education
Upcoming Educational Opportunities
Navigating MDS 3.0 RAI Training for Nursing Facility Staff (MDS)
3 Day Webinar | May 22-24, 2023
Time: 9-1pm
Register Here
Nursing Practice in Community Based Care (CBC)
3 Day Webinar | June 6-8, 2023
Time: 9-2pm
Register Here
Care Area Assessment Review (CAA)
December 7, 2023
Time: 9-1pm
Register Here
Visit our Education Page to discover more classes and webinars
