Currently, the reconciliation process is underway in Congress. At stake are hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, which would permanently alter the Medicaid program and have long-lasting and devastating impacts on tens of millions of Americans nationwide. In this episode, Consumer Voice’s Public Policy Director, Sam Brooks, will discuss the reconciliation process with Nicole Jorwic and Gelila Selassie and what it will mean for Medicaid recipients, including nursing home residents and other consumers of long-term care supports and services. Additionally, this episode includes a call to action and lays out what you can do to help stop these catastrophic cuts to this essential healthcare program.

Reconciliation and the Possibility of $800 Billion in Cuts to Medicaid, Including Long-Term Care Supports and Services

Consumer Voice’s Public Policy Director, Sam Brooks, talks with Dr. Norma Coe, a professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Perleman School of Medicine, whose research on the minimum staffing rule in nursing homes found that the rule would save 13,000 resident lives annually. Sam and Dr. Coe will discuss the rule, its impact on residents, and the current barriers to its implementation.

Guest: Dr. Norma Coe, Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Perleman School of Medicine

The Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule Will Save 13,000 Lives a Year

When a loved one enters long-term care, family members often find themselves stepping into a new and unexpected role: advocate. In this episode, Andrea DuBrow and Heather Tunis share their personal journeys from concerned family members to dedicated advocates for their loved ones in long-term care settings. 

Join us as we explore the vital role of family councils, the power of effective leadership, and the importance of advocacy in ensuring quality care. We also discuss strategies for building respectful and productive partnerships with staff and management, offering essential tips to help family members navigate the challenges of advocacy with confidence and purpose.

Whether you're just beginning your advocacy journey or looking to strengthen your approach, this conversation provides invaluable guidance and information.

Guests: Andrea DuBrow, Former Caregiver, Consumer Voice Leadership Council Member, Social Worker, Public Health Educator and Advocate; Heather Tunis, Family Care Manager, Management Consultant/Executive Coach, Long-Term Care Family Advocate

The Power of Family Advocacy in Long-Term Care

Nearly 40 years ago, after repeated reports, articles, and studies highlighting dismal conditions in nursing homes, Congress passed the comprehensive Nursing Home Reform Act, raising the standard of care and expectations for residents of nursing homes across the country. While we are still advocating for the promise of the law to be experienced by all residents, the importance of implementing the provisions is as necessary today as they were when the law was passed. Listen to our discussion about the passage of the Nursing Home Reform Act, its critical provisions, and what additional advocacy is needed to realize its full promise for all residents.

Guest: Toby Edelman, Senior Policy Attorney, Center for Medicare Advocacy

The Nursing Home Reform Act: The Foundation for Better Care

When award-winning filmmaker Susie Singer Carter placed her mother, who was living with dementia, in a five-star nursing home in Los Angeles, she never expected to be dealing with substandard care, inadequate staffing, and chemical restraints. Horrified by what was happening, Susie connected with former federal prosecutor Rick Mountcastle, whose prosecution of Purdue Pharma was featured in the miniseries, Dopesick. Susie and Rick have collaborated on a new documentary, No Country for Old People, to raise awareness about failures in our long-term care system and spur action to promote quality and accountability. On the eve of the release of the documentary, join a conversation with Susie and Rick about what they've learned in this process and what you can do to help change the system.  

Guests: Guest: Susie Singer Carter, Writer and Director, and Rick Mountcastle, Former Federal Prosecutor 

No Country for Old People: Behind the Documentary

In this episode, we're joined by three advocates who have worked to raise the personal needs allowance (PNA) and improve the quality of life for nursing home residents in their states.

The PNA is a small portion of income that Medicaid nursing home residents can keep each month to cover personal expenses such as clothing, snacks, cell phone bills, and other essentials that make life more comfortable.

The federal minimum PNA has not been raised since 1987 and remains just $30 a month, less than one dollar a day. While states can set higher amounts, they currently range from $30 to $200 a month, leaving most residents with only $2 to $3 per day for discretionary spending.

Join us as we hear from Bill Lamb, a lifelong advocate in North Carolina, along with resident advocates Ray DiFrancesco of New Jersey, and Jeanette Martinez of Connecticut, as they share their experiences raising the PNA in their states and their advice for others working toward the same goal.

Advocating for Increased Personal Needs Allowances in Nursing Homes

When something goes wrong in long-term care, do you know what to do? In this episode, we introduce Documenting Resident Concerns in Long-Term Care, a new resource created to help residents and families respond with confidence. From falls and pressure injuries to conflicts with staff, knowing what questions to ask and what details to document can be the key to real solutions. Lori Smetanka and Jocelyn Bogdan of Consumer Voice share practical strategies for gathering information and advocating effectively. This joint project from the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care and the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) offers a clear path to stronger advocacy and better care.

Guests: Lori Smetanka, Consumer Voice Executive Director, and Jocelyn Bogdan, Consumer Voice Senior Policy Specialist

Documenting Resident Concerns: Tools for Stronger Advocacy in Long-Term Care

In spring 2025, Consumer Voice conducted a nationwide survey of long-term care residents to learn what daily life is like in their facilities. The questions ranged from whether residents feel they are treated with dignity and respect to how appealing their meals are, and everything in between.

In this two-part podcast, we discuss the survey results and explore key themes with the residents themselves, who serve on Consumer Voice’s Consumer Advisory Council. They share their thoughts and experiences on what it’s like to live in long-term care in 2025 and offer valuable advice on how they advocate for themselves and others.

Guests: Maurice Miller, Ray DiFrancisco, Cindy Jones, Margarite Grootjes, and Jeanette Sullivan-Martinez

What is it like to live in long-term care in 2025? (Part 1 of 2)

Join us for part two of a conversation with long-term care residents. In spring 2025, Consumer Voice conducted a nationwide survey of residents to learn what daily life is like in their facilities. The questions ranged from whether residents feel they are treated with dignity and respect to how appealing their meals are, and everything in between.

In part two of this podcast, we discuss the survey results and explore key themes with the residents themselves, who serve on Consumer Voice’s Consumer Advisory Council. They share their thoughts and experiences on what it’s like to live in long-term care in 2025 and offer valuable advice on how they advocate for themselves and others.

What is it like to live in long-term care in 2025? (Part 2 of 2)

Long-term care is or will be a fact of life for many of us and our loved ones as we age. We all deserve care – whether in the home or in a long-term care facility – that meets the highest of standards, enhancing quality of life and ensuring the protection of rights. Join us as we talk with national experts and advocates about strategies you can use in the pursuit of quality long-term care.

What is it like to live in long-term care in 2025? (Part 1 of 2)

Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care

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