Editors’ Top 5, Week of November 14

Seniors Suffer Amid Widespread Fraud By Medicaid Caretakers
The Personal Care Services program, which exceeded $14.5 billion in fiscal year 2014, is rife with financial scams, some of which threaten patient safety, according to a recent report from the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services. (Melissa Bailey/Kaiser Health News)

Going to the Emergency Room Without Leaving the Living Room
“A lot of what’s been done in the E.R. can safely and effectively be done in the home,” said Karen Abrashkin, an internist with the House Calls program and Mrs. Vitale’s primary care physician. For frail, older people with many health problems, Dr. Abrashkin noted, “the hospital is not always the safest or best place to be.” (Paula Span/New York Times)

Kindred to Exit the Skilled Nursing Facility Business
The nation’s largest home health and hospice provider is betting even more on this side of the business, announcing Monday that it will entirely cease to own or operate skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). (Tim Mullaney/Home Health Care News)

Trump, GOP In Congress Could Use ‘Must-Pass’ Bills To Bring Health Changes
Throughout the campaign, President-Elect Donald Trump’s entire health message consisted of promising to repeal the Affordable Care Act. (Julie Rovner/Kaiser Health News)

How To Spend Your Final Months At Home, Sweet Home
There’s no mystery about what older adults want when they become seriously ill near the end of their lives. (Judith Graham/Kaiser Health News)