During this critical time, Home Health Care News remains committed to bringing you all the essential news related to home-based care operations. At the same time, we also recognize the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to our regular content, we’ll continue to highlight industry-related developments and mitigation strategies in this rolling bulletin.

What you need to know from Monday (May 4)

— The Trump administration announced Friday that it would be replacing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) inspector general, who had highlighted issues with its COVID-19 response in an early April report. The administration nominated Jason Weida to take over the position. Weida previously worked in the Office of Legal Policy.

— It’s not just the home health industry that is looking for more federal support. Last week, the CEO of the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) told Hospice News that while NHPCO has appreciated the Trump administration’s efforts thus far, more help is needed as the hospice community continues to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

— Having amassed tens of thousands of deaths since March, nursing homes are pushing for states to grant them emergency protection against an influx of lawsuits claiming they provided insufficient care. According to AP News, at least 15 states have enacted some sort of protection against COVID-19-related lawsuits for nursing homes. Home health and home care providers may push for similar protections moving forward.

— Home-based care providers and their patients continue to be hit hard by the COVID-19 virus. But in-home care is still not given the attention it deserves, Politico reiterated.

— Though progress has been made, ensuring caregiver safety is still an issue nationwide. A Colorado home care worker, for example, claims she has not received coronavirus training and pays for her own PPE.

For daily updates from the week of April 27, click here.

For daily updates from the week of April 20, click here.

For daily updates from the week of April 13, click here.

For daily updates from the week of April 6, click here.

For daily updates from the week of March 30, click here.

For daily updates from the week of March 23, click here.

For daily updates from the week of March 16, click here.

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