title: Mixed messages. Just as HHS debuts plan to boost accountability, CMS looks to ease inspections.
abstract: HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson had good news last week for nursing home advocates, then ran into an ambush. He unveiled a long-anticipated proposal for more public accountability in the industry. The problem was, the public had just found out about possible easing of inspection rules.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lovern
mesh_terms: D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D002568:Certification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005161:Facility Regulation and Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012941:Social Responsibility; D014481:United States; D014483:United States Dept. of Health and Human Services