View this message on our website.
The Voice
SHARE: Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

July 12, 2022

In this Issue:

  1. CMS Updates Guidance for Calculating Staffing Stars in Public Rating System
  2. Take These Actions to Urge Your Member of Congress to Hold Nursing Homes Accountable
  3. 2022 Consumer Voice Conference: In-Person Preliminary Agenda Available

CMS Updates Guidance for Calculating Staffing Stars in Public Rating System

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published new guidance for calculating staffing stars in the public 5-star rating system.  The new calculation includes total nurse staffing on weekends, annual registered nurse (RN) and total nurse turnover, and administrator turnover.  The guidance also stated that only facilities with 5-star staffing ratings will receive an extra star for above-average staffing, rather than also awarding an additional star for facilities with a 4-star staffing rating as before.

According to StarPro, an analytics firm, the change in calculation of stars will affect 10-16% of long-term care providers nationwide.

For more information, read the article in McKnight's.

Take These Actions to Urge Your Member of Congress to Hold Nursing Homes Accountable

Urge your member of Congress to support the implementation of staffing standards and to hold long-term care facilities accountable for the care they provide and the money they receive.

Thank you to all those who have scheduled a visit with your member of Congress. Let us know about your visit by emailing info@theconsumervoice.org and posting a photo on social media at your member of Congress' office using #HearingConsumerVoices and tag us @ConsumerVoices on Twitter and @theconsumervoice on Facebook.  If you haven't had a chance to schedule a visit yet, go to  our website to learn how.

Use our easy online tool and pre-written letter to send a message - it takes just two minutes!

Plus, make a quick phone call.  While phone calls can sound intimidating, they can be very simple.  Visit our website to find a phone script and links to find your member of Congress' phone number.  You can also call off hours and leave a message.

Have you completed all three of our actions?

1.    Schedule a Visit
2.    Send a Message
3.    Make a Phone Call

Let us know on social media using #HearingConsumerVoices and remember to tag us @ConsumerVoices on Twitter and @theconsumervoice on Facebook.

2022 Consumer Voice Conference: In-Person Preliminary Agenda Available

2022 CV Conference Logo

Join us in Baltimore, Maryland November 14-16, 2022 at the Lord Baltimore Hotel to reconnect in person.  Over the pandemic, we've learned how important it is to connect face-to-face, build relationships, learn from each other, and create connections.

At the conference, you will:

  • Listen to key experts at the federal level discuss the latest policy updates;
  • Hear the voice of long-term care consumers;
  • Connect with advocates nationwide and learn about best practices;
  • Gain skills relevant to your work; and
  • Return to your state and community revitalized and equipped with new tools to put your systems and individual advocacy into action!

Conference preliminary agenda

See a PDF version.

Or join us virtually December 8-9, 2022.  New live sessions, as well as select recorded programs from the in-person conference will be available. (Note: Registration to the in-person conference also gives you access to the virtual programming).

Learn more and register.

FOLLOW US
Facebook Icon 32px x 32px Twitter Icon 32px x 32px Amazon Smile Icon 32px x 32px 
10‌25 Conn‌ecticut Av‌enue, N‌W, Su‌ite 1000, Was‌hington, D‌C 20‌036
National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
© 2024 All rights reserved.
National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care is a US registered charity EIN #5‌2-119‌8450
Powered By Blackbaud