Health Care

Nursing homes lacked PPE in Aug., report says

Nursing homes lacked PPE in Aug., report says

1 in 10 facilities had less than week's supply

By Katie Lannan COVID-19, nursing homes 0 Comments Oct 28, 2020

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A NEW REPORT measuring personal protective equipment shortages at nursing homes nationwide found that 8 percent were without one or more types of PPE in August. The report, a US PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group analysis of data submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from May through(...)

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Holyoke Soldiers’ Home staffers tell their stories

Many say morale remains low; lots of vacant positions

Shira Schoenberg

Reading between the lines at cost trend hearing

Baker, Healey remarks hint at broader market concerns

Paul A. Hattis

Problems are persisting at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

Family members say communication is dismal

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Sudders warns of future nursing home closures

Says those that survive the pandemic may be higher quality

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

MassHealth enrollment surges during pandemic

Sudders worries about ‘fiscal cliff’ in 2022

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Families of Holyoke Soldiers’ Home vets tell heartbreaking tales

Some say facility is still having problems today

Shira Schoenberg

March 9, 2020 MGH

Federal COVID funds boost flagging hospital revenue

Things would have been bad without the money

Sarah Betancourt

Baker names Poppe secretary of vet services

Had been filling role for 4 months on interim basis

Sarah Betancourt

Trump executive order on race and diversity a big step backwards

Federal action will be particularly damaging to health and medicine research

Yamicia Connor

The COVID body count continues

Higher Mass. death rate defies simple explanation

Michael Jonas

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Lawmakers ask what went wrong at nursing homes

COVID-19 learning curve steep, but many problems ignored

Bruce Mohl

Baker: Younger people causing runup in COVID-19 cases

Says state is well prepared; no surge yet

Bruce Mohl

Seltz dissects Mass. health care market

Takes on market clout, rising health insurance rates, burdensome rules

Bruce Mohl

Colleges facing ‘astronomical’ COVID costs

Testing alone costs millions of dollars

Shira Schoenberg

COVID-19’s hidden toll

For those in recovery, these are perilous times

Christopher Tuttle

COVID notes: New rapid tests to go to schools

Baker says Mass. leads nation in coronavirus testing

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSCF6847-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSCF6847-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSCF6847-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

COVID-19 crimes may be tough to prove

Healey says Soldiers’ Home decisions were criminal

Bruce Mohl

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSCF6847-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSCF6847-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSCF6847-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Two at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home face criminal charges

Healey: Case is 1st in US against nursing home officials during COVID-19

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Indoor visits allowed at nursing homes

Communal dining, exercise can also resume

Bruce Mohl

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW-SOLDIERS-HOME-PETITION-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Critics say Holyoke Soldiers’ Home chronically underfunded

Differences in residents’ needs make comparisons to Chelsea difficult

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-435x285.png" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-435x285.png 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-870x570.png 870w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-300x197.png 300w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-768x505.png 768w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-1024x673.png 1024w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope.png 1452w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Health insurance rate hike should be reviewed

Health Care for All calls for hearing process

Amy Rosenthal

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-435x285.png" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-435x285.png 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-870x570.png 870w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-300x197.png 300w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-768x505.png 768w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope-1024x673.png 1024w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Stethoscope.png 1452w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Four issues to watch on health insurance

Premiums rising but uninsured ranks hold steady

Paul A. Hattis

Baker’s firing of Walsh voided for now

Decision is embarrassing for the governor

Bruce Mohl

Groups urge ROE Act passage to honor Ginsburg

Abortion rights advocates seize on justice’s death to push bill

Sarah Betancourt

covid-19, clinical trials, coronavirus, vaccine, vaccination

COVID-19 vaccine unlikely to be a silver bullet

Experts rein in expectations; long process ahead

Sarah Betancourt

Health insurance premiums to rise 8% next year

Rise comes despite downturn in health care spending

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nursing-home-heroes-work-here-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Baker unveils nursing home aid package

$82m in long-term aid plus $60m if COVID-19 reemerges this fall

Bruce Mohl

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Massachusetts should not mandate telehealth prices

Fixed rates will hurt vulnerable and small companies

Josh Archambault

State prisons resuming in-person visits, programming

After lawsuits, COVID-19 deaths, and suicide, a new normal

Sarah Betancourt

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" loading="lazy" data-srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-435x285.jpg 435w, https://commonwealthmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthcare-cocts-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Somerville rep concerned about ‘draconian’ MassHealth asset recovery policies

Barber says families don’t realize program can operate more like loan

Sarah Betancourt