The Department of Health and Human Services has ended its defense of the federal nursing home staffing mandate, asking courts to dismiss appeals in both the Texas and Iowa cases. The Fifth Circuit granted dismissal on Sept. 19, closing a 16-month legal fight, while the Eighth Circuit filing remains pending.
The mandate, finalized in 2024, would have required 24/7 registered nurse coverage and minimum staffing hours across all nursing homes. District courts in Texas and Iowa struck down those provisions earlier this year, ruling that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services exceeded its authority.
National leaders, including LeadingAge, welcomed the withdrawal as aligning with the administration’s concurrent move to repeal the rule. A proposed repeal is now under review by the Office of Management and Budget.
Read more at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. Last week, the Department of Justice dismissed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) appeal in an Iowa case contesting the nursing home staffing mandate rule. This marks the end of the case that was launched in Iowa’s Northern District by 20 state attorneys general and 21 LeadingAge state affiliates, including LeadingAge Ohio.
Attorneys General were compelled to file suit against the Biden-era rule, noting that individual states would be charged with footing the bill for the change, given their governance of state Medicaid programs. Similar to the Texas case launched by AHCA and LeadingAge, the plaintiffs argued that the rule exceeded the Administration’s authority.
Read past coverage of the suit in this LeadingAge serial post. Questions may be directed to Susan Wallace at swallace@leadingageohio.org. LeadingAge Ohio would like to express its gratitude particularly to attorney Anna St. John who represented the LeadingAge state affiliates, as well as to colleagues in South Carolina, Kansas and Iowa who were instrumental in leading this contest forward. Top You Asked: Are RNs and LPNs required to maintain CPR certification?
We Answered: The Ohio Board of Nursing provides an answer to this question in their RN and LPN Frequently Asked Questions publication. The Nurse Practice Act does not require RNs or LPNs to obtain and maintain certification in CPR. Rather, the standards of practice for RNs and LPNs in Chapter 4723-4, OAC, require nurses to demonstrate competence and accountability in all areas of practice in which the nurse is engaged which includes, but is not limited to, recognition, referral or consultation, and intervention when a complication arises. Nurses must consider their area of practice and the types of complications that may occur within their area practice. Competent practice may require the administration of CPR in events of cardiopulmonary arrest in addition to other measures to ensure the safety of the patient. The nurse performing CPR needs to be able to document their competence in the performance of CPR. Top Enrollment is now open for the Winter 2026 session of the Core of Knowledge, a program designed for Administrators-in-Residence that fulfills the academic requirement set by the Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) for qualifying to sit for the state licensure board examination to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA).
The three-week course will be held January 12–30, 2026, Monday through Thursday, at the OCLC Conference Center. This is one of only two opportunities to complete the required coursework in 2026.
The deadline to register is December 5, 2025. Learn more and register for the 2026 Winter Core of Knowledge. For additional information, contact Corey Markham at cmarkham@leadingageohio.org. LeadingAge Ohio invites members to join this fall’s Regional Network Gatherings, offering an opportunity to engage with peers from mission-driven aging services organizations in their communities. This fall’s events will take place in Cincinnati/Mason on November 13, Cleveland on November 18, and our NEW gathering in Toledo on November 20, with each date running 4:00-6:00PM. These annual gatherings create space for updates, professional connections, and shared learning across the state.
LeadingAge Ohio members are welcome to attend at no cost, though advance registration is required. Associate firms and partners are welcome to attend, with a nominal registration fee. Contact Corey Markham at cmarkham@leadingageohio.org for details. LeadingAge Ohio’s Learning Center makes it easy to fit both education and policy updates into your schedule. While the platform hosts live webinars and calls, it also offers members the flexibility to access programs on demand.
If you miss a live session, such as an Advocacy in Action call, Survey Tips and Tactics (STAT), or one of our special all-member updates, you can revisit it later at your convenience. This ensures you not only get the latest news from LeadingAge Ohio’s work, but also gain the knowledge and resources you need to feel confident speaking about the most current issues in aging services.
The Learning Center features a broad library of on-demand content tailored for providers across the continuum of care, including nursing homes, hospice, adult day services, and more. Once members create an account, they can explore education sessions led by subject-matter experts, policy briefings, and training modules to support organizational success.
Visit the Learning Center to create your account and start exploring today. Heading to the 2025 LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Expo in Boston? LeadingAge Ohio and LeadingAge Indiana invite you to join us for State Night Out on Sunday, November 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Parris Lounge & Hall in Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This evening will be a chance to relax and connect with colleagues from Ohio, Indiana, and beyond before the full week of learning and networking begins.
The event is open to both provider members and business firms, with registration available at $50 for provider members and $150 for business firms. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, October 29. There's always something happening at LeadingAge Ohio, and we don’t want you to miss a moment. From educational opportunities to networking events, our calendar is packed with ways for members to stay informed, engaged, and connected.
Explore what's ahead and make plans to join us—whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, connect with peers, or get involved in shaping the future of aging services in Ohio.
View all upcoming events here and mark your calendar today!
- September 29, 1 PM - Hospice HOPE Support Group
- October 2, 10 AM - Advocacy Committee
- October 8, 11 AM - Survey Tips & Tactics: Immunizations
- October 8, 2 PM - Home Health & Hospice Subcommittee
- October 9, 9 AM - LeadingAge Ohio Reimbursement Day
- October 10, 9 AM - Supervisor Skills Bootcamp
- October 13, 1 PM - Hospice HOPE Support Group
- October 15, 12 PM - Housings Happenings Call
- October 15, 12 PM - Life Safety & Emergency Preparedness Hot Topics, Updates and Best Practices for Compliance
- October 16, 1 PM - 2025 Reimbursement Collaborative: Build the Backbone – Systems That Ensure Accuracy and Accountability
Top As Workforce Development Month continues, LeadingAge is highlighting two upcoming opportunities to build leadership skills across aging services.
The Fall 2025 Next Level Leadership Series begins next month, offering a small, engaged cohort the chance to strengthen leadership competencies through peer-to-peer learning and guidance from seasoned experts. Fewer than 10 spots remain in this first-come, first-served program. Register for the Next Level Leadership Series.
On October 7, LeadingAge will also host a Half-Day Leadership Deep Dive: Navigating Difficult Conversations. Julie Thorson, president and CEO of Friendship Haven, will lead this interactive session designed to help emerging leaders and mid-level professionals approach sensitive conversations with empathy, clarity, and purpose. Space is limited to 36 provider members, and registration closes next week. Register for the Leadership Deep Dive. Top The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention met September 18–19 to review and vote on several vaccine recommendations, including four related to COVID-19.
On September 19, the committee recommended an individual-based, or shared clinical, decision-making approach for COVID-19 vaccination in individuals ages 6 months and older. For those between 6 months and 64 years, ACIP advised that discussions with clinicians emphasize that the benefits of vaccination are greatest for individuals at higher risk of severe COVID-19, and lowest for those without risk factors. The CDC maintains a list of COVID-19 risk factors to guide these conversations.
For ongoing updates on COVID-19 and other respiratory virus guidance, visit LeadingAge’s Continued Fight Against COVID and Other Respiratory Viruses serial post. Top Residents have the right to be informed before any changes to their room or roommate. According to the State Operations Manual Appendix PP, F559, residents have the right to receive written notice, including the reason for the change, before a move occurs. CMS emphasizes that moving to a new room or changing roommates is challenging for residents.
CMS outlines the following in the SOM Appendix PP:
- Written explanation of the move must be provided to the resident, family, and/or representative when initiated by facility staff.
- Resident preferences should be considered when evaluating potential moves.
- Opportunity to adjust should be offered by allowing the resident to tour the new location, meet the potential roommate, and ask questions.
- Advance notice should be given to residents who will be receiving a new roommate.
- Adjustment time should be provided to a resident when a roommate passes away before bringing in a new roommate, with timing individualized.
- Social services support should be offered to residents grieving the death of a roommate.
Facilities should review their policy and audit room and roommate changes to ensure written notices, resident preferences, and adjustment supports are consistently documented and in compliance with F559. Facilities should also routinely monitor compliance using the surveyor guidance outlined in the State Operations Manual Appendix PP. The full agenda is now available for LeadingAge Ohio Reimbursement Day: Maximizing PDPM for Ohio Medicaid and Medicare, scheduled for October 9, 2025, at the Quest Conference Center in Westerville.
This one-day, in-person training will prepare MDS nurses and clinical leaders for Ohio Medicaid’s transition to the nursing-only Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), beginning January 2026. Participants will review their facility’s projected financial impact, explore strategies for maximizing case-mix scores across both Medicaid and Medicare, and connect MDS coding to Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) performance.
Led by Stephanie DeWees, LeadingAge Ohio’s Long-Term Care Quality and Regulatory Specialist, alongside the Squared Business Solutions team and other subject-matter experts, the program will feature real-world case studies, interactive coding exercises, and facilitated discussion on best practices. The day will conclude with financial impact analysis and a Q&A with presenters.
Learn more and register for Reimbursement Day. Top Each September, Adult Day Services Week calls attention to a care option that helps older Ohioans stay active in their communities while also supporting the family members who care for them.
Adult day services provide daytime care in a safe, community-based setting. With health monitoring, meals, and engaging activities, these programs promote well-being for participants while giving caregivers the reassurance of reliable respite.
To help families and referral sources connect with programs, LeadingAge Ohio maintains the Adult Day Services Directory, the only and most up-to-date directory of adult day services in the state. The site also offers practical resources for caregivers, providers, and professionals who make referrals.
LeadingAge Ohio’s support extends beyond the directory. Through membership, advocacy, and education, the association equips adult day providers with tools to strengthen their programs. Representation of adult day providers on the LeadingAge Ohio Board of Directors ensures their perspective informs the broader work of the organization.
Adult Day Services Week is a reminder of both the importance of these programs to Ohio families and the resources available to connect them with care. Top Yesterday, on a rainy day in Utica, LeadingAge Ohio explored the vibrant, homelike community of Oak Hill Manor. Managed by Beacon 360 Management, a 501(c)(4) organization that provides quality housing for people with limited financial resources—including older Ohioans—Oak Hill Manor reflects both mission and heart.
For more than 30 years, this 40-unit senior housing community has offered more than a place to live. Each residence has its own private entrance, and shared spaces like the walking track and community garden help neighbors connect. With pet-friendly policies and strong service coordination, residents find both independence and support.
What shines most is the dedication of the staff, whose commitment fosters a close-knit, family-like atmosphere. Oak Hill Manor truly feels like home.
LeadingAge Ohio is proud to welcome Oak Hill Manor and Beacon 360 Management as members and looks forward to celebrating their continued impact in Licking County. Has your organization recently celebrated a major milestone? Opened a new building? Been featured in the news? Whether it’s a groundbreaking, an award, or a great story from your community, we want to help spread the word.
LeadingAge Ohio members are doing incredible work across the state, and we’re proud to highlight those efforts. Share your press releases, social media posts, or media coverage with us and we’ll feature them in the Member News section of The Source. We may also help amplify your story on LeadingAge Ohio’s social media channels.
To submit a news item, simply email Laurinda Johnson at ljohnson@leadingageohio.org. We can’t wait to celebrate your success! Top LeadingAge Ohio holds valuable education webinars and in-person events throughout the year. Opportunities are added weekly. See the complete Schedule of Events. Top
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