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June 6, 2023
In this Issue:
- Consumer Voice Submits Comments to CMS on its Notice of Proposed Rule Making
- Consumer Voice Conference Registration Open
- Residents Invited to Participate in 2023 Resident's Voice Challenge
- SAGE and Human Rights Campaign Foundation Release 2023 Long-Term Care Equality Index
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Consumer Voice Submits Comments to CMS on its Notice of Proposed Rule Making
Consumer Voice has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on its April 10, 2023 Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM). The rule proposes to increase Medicare rates for nursing home stays by 3.7% in 2024. In addition, the rule proposes new measures of quality and some changes to the Medicare Value Based Purchasing Program. Consumer Voice voiced strong opposition to CMS's proposal to adopt the CoreQ measure as part of its Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP) to survey resident satisfaction. While Consumer Voice does support directly measuring resident satisfaction, we oppose the use of CoreQ, a measure developed by and for the nursing home industry. The measure is biased toward positive reviews, is too vague, and excludes too many residents. In the letter, we urge CMS to reconsider its decision to use this measure.
Read our full responses to the NPRM.
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Consumer Voice Conference Registration Open
 Registration is open for the 47th Consumer Voice Conference October 30 - November 1 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor (livestreaming is available). The conference covers long-term care issues, including current trends, best practices, advocacy opportunities, and new research. Join us for the opportunity to learn, network, and exchange ideas with consumer advocates from all over the country.
Learn more about the conference and register now.
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Residents Invited to Participate in 2023 Resident's Voice Challenge
 Creative writing and artistic expression are meaningful and compelling ways to highlight the importance of residents’ rights and how these rights can be carried out in all long-term care settings. The Resident’s Voice Challenge, a part of Residents' Rights Month, encourages residents to submit essays, poems, artwork, drawings, or videos related to the theme.
This year’s theme emphasizes a community of long-term care residents coming together to make their voices heard. As part of the Resident’s Voice Challenge, we are inviting residents to create videos amplifying their voices. Residents are encouraged to create a video sharing who you are and how you amplify your voice by answering the questions: What does it mean to be heard and how do you make yourself heard? Alternatively, residents can respond to the Resident’s Voice Challenge in writing (essays, poems, word collages), artwork (posters, paintings, drawings), audio (songs or spoken word), or photos.
Visit our website for more information on how to participate. Submissions are due September 1, 2023.
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SAGE and Human Rights Campaign Foundation Release 2023 Long-Term Care Equality Index
SAGE and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation have released the 2023 Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI). The report reviewed 200 communities from 34 states that actively participated in the LEI 2023 survey. LEI promotes LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices in long-term care and senior housing communities and formally recognizes those communities that lead the field in LGBTQ+ inclusion. The LEI helps long-term care and senior housing communities adopt policies and best practices that provide culturally competent care to LGBTQ+ older people. The LEI measures benchmarks of LGBTQ+ inclusion in senior housing settings:
- Non-Discrimination and Staff Training
- Resident Services & Support
- Employee Benefits & Policies
- Resident & Community Engagement
LEI participating communities have the opportunity to achieve one of three Tiers of Recognition based on the extent in which they’ve implemented best practices set by the LEI 2023 Criteria.
Read the report.
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