Tips for Reading the FAHSA Link
Welcome to this edition of the FAHSA Link.
Please note that news topics are highlighted in a brief paragraph or
two. To read the complete document related to a specific member
type, click on the link directly following the article (which will
take you to the Alerts Page for ALFs, CCRCs, HUDs, General, or
Nursing Homes) and then click on the latest ALERT. Please remember
that last year, the FAHSA Board of Trustees made the decision that
your membership dues will entitle you to access only those Web pages
that relate to the membership type your dues cover. That is, if you
pay dues for nursing home beds only then will you be able to access
all general membership and nursing home-related Web pages, but you
will be unable to access housing, ALF or CCRC topics. Suggestions/Comments
FAHSA Quick Links
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Budget Cuts Inevitable -- No Whining Please!
- When a highly respected FAHSA member visited a powerful
state senator last week about the proposed nursing home budget
cuts, the first thing she saw was a sign that read "Cuts
happen, no whining." The lawmaker happens to be a friend and a
longstanding advocate for health and human service programs.
But, this time around, he is saying that the Legislature has
few options and that it's not fair to spare education and
health and social service programs at the expense of other
important state needs. He predicted that cuts will be between
4% and 10%. He added that everyone has fat in their budget.
The House wanted to dissect the cuts line by line, helping the
"good guys," but the Senate believes an across-the-board
reduction is fairer.
Special Session on Budget Scheduled for October 3 --
Still Time to Educate Legislators - The Special Session on
the budget is now scheduled for October 3 through 12. The
competition for funds is heating up, and as the above article
indicates, the outlook is not good. Groups that represent the
developmentally disabled, mentally ill and kids are
encouraging their members to call legislators and ask for
special consideration. You must do the same or nursing homes
could end up taking more than their fair share of the proposed
cuts.
Please call your legislators this week and urge them not to
reduce funding for nursing homes. Explain that nearly 70 % of
what you spend goes to care-related activities, mostly for
staffing. The average loss for each Medicaid recipient will
increase to over $14 per day if the 4% cut recommended by
Governor Crist is adopted by the Legislature. Obviously, if
lawmakers opt for a deeper cut, the consequences will be more
drastic.
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| CCRC / Retirement Community
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OIR Surveys CCRCs on
Property & Casualty Coverage - Don't be
surprised if you receive a survey from the Office of
Insurance Regulation asking for information about
property insurance coverage. Because of the guarantees
that are made to residents, continuing care retirement
communities have an obligation to have sufficient
insurance coverage to reasonably ensure that the
community can rebuild after a hurricane. Although Ch.
651, F.S., does not specifically address the amount or
types of property insurance coverage that a CCRC must
hold, OIR does have the responsibility to ensure that
the investment of CCRC contract holders is protected.
Adequate insurance is considered to be an important
safeguard. If you are having difficulty getting
windstorm coverage, please let us know. A couple of
years ago, FAHSA succeeded in amending the law so that
CCRCs could purchase insurance through Citizens
Insurance. It's not an ideal option, but it is an option
to consider. Before you resort to using Citizens, be
sure to contact FAHSA's P
referred Business Associates that sell insurance to
see if they have a product that would meet your
organization's needs. Please call Julie Copeland, FAHSA
staff, (850) 671-3700 x 18, for contact information or
consult the FAHSA Directory.
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| District/Membership News
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Sunnyside Innovation
Featured in "Future Age" - Sunnyside Village, a
Sarasota continuing care community, was featured in the
September/October issue of AAHSA's "Future Age"
magazine. The article described "Sunnyside Sneakers", an
innovative program designed to encourage residents and
staff to engage in regular exercise. Some 90
participants are divided into six teams, each named for
a brand of sneakers. Every person who signs up must
commit to walking safely and reporting his or her miles
monthly. Previously- sedentary residents are now walking
with noticeable improvement in mobility. To learn more
about the program and other innovations, go to FAHSA's
Innovation
Exchange Website.
Housing Member Makes the News for Advocacy Efforts
- The September/October issue of the AAHSA
"FutureAge" also included an article on Villa Assumpta,
a HUD housing community in Jensen Beach, sponsored by
the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach. The article focused
on the importance of advocacy and a visit from
Congressman Tom Mahoney (D- Florida) who met with
residents to find out more about their needs. Mahoney is
the sponsor of an important bill (H.R. 2930) that will
streamline the section 202 program. Congresswoman Ginny
Brown- Waite (R-Florida) is a cosponsor.
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| Education News |
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Notice from CE Broker: Board of Pharmacy
Immunization Course - The Florida Board of Pharmacy
has received information that providers are now offering
immunization courses. Please be advised the Board has
not adopted rules to establish minimum standards for
certification courses that certify pharmacists to
administer influenza virus immunizations. Any pharmacist
taking these courses will receive credit for general
education hours only.
Pursuant to section 465.189(5), Florida Statutes, any
pharmacist seeking to administer influenza virus
immunizations to adults must be certified to administer
the immunizations through a certification program
approved by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with
the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic
Medicine.
Upcoming Workshops:
- October 2 -- QIS Training, Joseph L.
Morse Geriatric Center, West Palm Beach
- October 5 -- QIS Training, Fleet
Landing, Jacksonville, FL
- October 9 & 10 -- Board of Trustees
Meeting, Orlando, FL
- October 11 -- QIS Training, Orlando
Lutheran Towers, Orlando, FL
- November 15 - FAHSA's Maintenance
Workshop, Holiday Inn, Orlando, FL
- January 15 & 16, 2008 -- FAHSA's
Dynamic Directions Advanced Nurse Leadership
Workshop, Safety Harbor
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| General News |
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Sunrise Medical Quickie Power Wheelchairs
Recalled - The recall affects three wheelchair
models; RhythmTM, GrooveTM, and Zippy® Z-BopTM. The
display rotates around its mount and may result in the
wire coming out of the casing. The wire may short
circuit, resulting in a spark, smoke, or flame. There is
a chance that any material close to the wiring (such as
bedding, clothing, etc.) may catch fire. Consumers
should contact their dealers about the installation of
the upgrade kit. MORE
INFORMATION
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| Housing News |
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HUD and HCBS Members in Jacksonville for
Comprehensive Training - 250 Housing and HCBS
Members are currently attending FAHSA's 24th Annual HUD
Elderly Housing & Service Coordinator Workshop and
Home and Community-Based Workshop, in Jacksonville. Be
sure to read next weeks' LINK for an update on these
popular events.
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| Home and Community-Based Services
News |
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FAHSA Member Fred Stock Appointed to National
HCBS Cabinet - Fred Stock (Miami Jewish Home and
Hospital for the Aged) has been appointed to the AAHSA
Home and Community-Based Services Cabinet. The AAHSA
HCBS team addresses legislative, operational, and legal
issues and opportunities affecting HCBS providers.
Congratulations Fred!
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| Legislative News
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Sponsors Identified for HIV/AIDS Education
Bill - Sen. Gwen Margolis (D-Bay Harbor Island)) and
Rep. Joyce Cusack (D-DeLand) have agreed to sponsor a
bill at FAHSA's request to fix an inconsistency in
current law with HIV/AIDS educational requirements. Two
years ago, legislation passed which eliminated biennial
HIV/AIDS educational updates for licensed professionals.
However, the HIV/AIDS biennial updates required for
employees of nursing homes, ALFs, hospitals, etc., was
not changed creating an inconsistency between the two
statutes. The bill that Sen. Margolis and Rep. Cusack
agreed to file will remedy the inconsistency by
eliminating the HIV/AIDS update for employees of
licensed facilities. There is nothing to prohibit an
employer from requiring additional training, but if the
bill becomes law, only the initial HIV/AIDs training
will be required.
McBurney Wins House District 16 Seat -
Republican Charles McBurney handily won a special
election for the Florida House District 16 seat
(Jacksonville area), succeeding Mark Mahon who was
appointed to a judgeship in June. McBurney is a former
assistant state attorney.
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| Nursing Home News
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Revisit User Fee Program for Survey and
Certification Published - CMS has published the
final Revisit User Fee Program regulation (CMS-2268- F).
The 'Revisit User Fee Program For Survey and
Certification' will establish a program which allows CMS
to impose user fees for the survey and certification of
health care facilities that require a revisit from the
State survey agency to confirm the correction of
deficiencies cited during initial certification,
recertification, and substantial compliance surveys.
Read more about this issue and the others listed below
in the latest Nursing Home Alert, NH 07-26 dated
9/20/07.
Other Nursing Home News:
- Medicaid Provider Credit Balance Audits Underway
- Tips for Addressing Continence on the MDS Section
H
- CMS S & C Letter on Phase 1 Final Report:
"Study of Paid Feeding Assistant Programs"
- Medicare Part B Drug Competitive Acquisition
Program (CAP): 2008 Physician Election
- FDA MedWatch Alerts and Warnings
- September 2007 FDA Patient Safety News Video
Program Available
- Presidential Veto Expected Children's Health
Program
- Report Cautions About Need for Security
Protections for Electronic Medical Records
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| Preferred Business Associate
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FAHSA's Preferred Business Associates Program
(PBAs) -- A list of PBAs can be found by on the
FAHSA Web site www.fahsa.org
and selecting Preferred Business Associates from the
left side menu bar. FAHSA members can also use the on-
line directory to search for PBAs by specialty.
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| JobMart |
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FAHSA is pleased to provide an opportunity for
you to advertise your "position wanted" or "position
available" through the FAHSA Link newsletter and
on our Web Page.
FAHSA members may use the Job Mart services at no
charge. A nominal fee of $25 will be charged to
nonmembers.
Your Job Mart advertisement will be displayed on our
Web site for approximately three months. The FAHSA
Link is published weekly and distributed to our
membership which is comprised of nursing homes, CCRCs,
HUD housing, assisted living facilities, independent
living facilities and companies/firms.
To reserve advertisement space in our Job Mart
program, please complete the application
and fax it to FAHSA at (850) 671-3790 or E-mail Erin
Steele at esteele@fahsa.org
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