The Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy are holding the second Texas Marijuana Policy Conference this weekend in Austin, Texas. A broad range of speakers will participate. Many of the courses will address legal issues. The schedule is here. … [Read more...] about Second Texas Marijuana Policy Conference This Labor Day Weekend
DEA to Finally Take Action on Marijuana Grower Applications
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced on Monday that is is taking steps to expand the number of federally authorized marijuana manufacturers for research purposes. In the three years since DEA first said it would be accepting applications for cannabis manufacturers, the agency has received 33 submissions. In a notice of applications set to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, DEA said the “unprecedented” volume of inquiries makes it necessary to develop new … [Read more...] about DEA to Finally Take Action on Marijuana Grower Applications
Single-Patient Rooms Found to Decrease Hospital-Acquired Infections
An interesting story has been published by JAMA about this: "The move to single-patient rooms at the McGill University Health Centre's (MUHC) Glen site in 2015 resulted in significantly reduced rates of hospital-acquired infections, suggests a study published today in the highly respected journal JAMA: Internal Medicine published by the American Medical Association. A team at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) found that rates of both colonization … [Read more...] about Single-Patient Rooms Found to Decrease Hospital-Acquired Infections
Almost 1 Million Dollar Penalty for Nursing Home Leader in HUD Loan Default
Nursing home owners who have HUD loans should take note of this: A judge has approved a nearly $1 million penalty for the former leader of a nursing home chain after the company defaulted on $146 million in loans — the biggest default in the HUD federal mortgage insurance program’s history. Note the fact that and an individual was the target. … [Read more...] about Almost 1 Million Dollar Penalty for Nursing Home Leader in HUD Loan Default
Proposals for Marijuans Banking and CBD Bills Floated
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is advocating future model state policies to resolve issues regarding banking issues for marijuana and for legalization of hemp and CBD: "Tasks forces of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a nonprofit that brings together conservative lawmakers and private sector stakeholders to draft and distribute model policies for consideration by state legislatures, discussed banking issues in the marijuana industry … [Read more...] about Proposals for Marijuans Banking and CBD Bills Floated
New Hospice Provider Letter Warns Recoupment at Higher Routine Home Care Rate
On Augst 1, 2019, HHS posted a new provider letter entitled: Information Letter No. 19-14 Routine Home Care First 60 Days Recoupment of Overbilling on Routine Home Care First 60 Days. The purpose is as follows: The purpose of this letter is to inform Medicaid hospice providers that HHSC intends to review billing for routine home care (RHC) and recoup overbilling at the higher RHC rate. On January 1, 2016, HHSC implemented the changes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services … [Read more...] about New Hospice Provider Letter Warns Recoupment at Higher Routine Home Care Rate
Cancer Patients Get Blood Infection from Opioid Injection Diluted by Tap Water
This is horrifying. "Half a dozen cancer patients in New York developed a rare infection after they received injectable opioids that a nurse had diluted with tap water, according to a new report. It appears that the nurse tampered with the syringes to remove some of the narcotics for her own use, replacing the drugs with water, the report said." … [Read more...] about Cancer Patients Get Blood Infection from Opioid Injection Diluted by Tap Water
Texas HHS Provider Letters for July 2019
HHS released three provider letters in July, 2019. The are as follows: On July 3, 2019 HHS released PL 19-16 regarding Responsibility for Records after a Management Change. The letter applies to Assisted Living Facility (ALF), Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) Facility, Home and Community Support Services Agency, (HCSSA), Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICF/IID), Nursing Facility (NF), and Prescribed Pediatric … [Read more...] about Texas HHS Provider Letters for July 2019
CMS Opioid Guidelines: A Catch 22?
Can you be fined and have action taken against your license for following CMS Opioid guidelines? According to Modern Medicine Network, you can: "In a recent case, the New Hampshire Board of Medicine investigated a physician who is board certified in pain management and anesthesiology after cutting back a chronic pain patient’s prescription opioid painkillers. The patient had been on a dosage of 80 mg of OxyContin twice daily and 30 mg of oxycodone four times a day for many years. … [Read more...] about CMS Opioid Guidelines: A Catch 22?
Updates for Patient-Driven Model for Skilled Nursing Providers and the Plight of Rural Nursing Homes
CMS has announced updates regarding the new Patient-Driven Payment Model for Skilled Nursing Providers. “Skilled nursing providers will split an $851 million pay increase in FY 2020, following a final rule published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued late Tuesday.” This may help rural facilities which are struggling according to a different story: “The sole nursing home in a rural pocket of New Mexico has closed weeks after state efforts to … [Read more...] about Updates for Patient-Driven Model for Skilled Nursing Providers and the Plight of Rural Nursing Homes
