Assisted Living News 2026Jan22

Kierstin Reed • January 22, 2026

Veteran’s Affairs Increases Cap on Non-institutional Care Spending

In alignment with statutory language included in the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veteran’s Healthcare and Benefits Improvement (PL 118-210), for which LeadingAge advocated, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs posted a notification of subregulatory guidance in the Federal Register to update the maximum service plan costs for a veteran receiving non-institutional care and services from 65% of the nursing home rate to 100% of the nursing home rate. The notice provides information on the possibility of waiving the 100% cap for veterans that reach that threshold and meet certain other clinical targets. The guidance requires no further rule making and is effective retroactively to September 11, 2025. The guidance is available here.

Life Plan Community Weekly Recap. Here is your weekly LPC Weekly Recap.

By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Senators Challenge CMS Voting Guidance for Nursing Homes.
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
New MDS Training from CMS: Section K Assessment and Coding Essentials. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training that provides an overview of Section K of the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The course reviews the purpose, assessment steps, coding instructions, coding tips, key definitions, and calculation methods for accurately assessing and coding Section K items. This training can be accessed through the SNF QRP Training webpage.
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
There are no new Assisted Living updates to share this week. Please check back next week for the latest news and information. Here is your Life Plan Community Weekly Recap .
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
COVID “Up to Date” Definition Will Not Change
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Temporary Protected Status for El Salvado Ends September 9, 2026: Employment authorization for eligible Salvadoran TPS holders will end September 9th per USCIS, absent new litigation or a redesignation. USCIS has automatically extended certain expired TPS-based employment authorization documents through that date and issued related Form I-9 records, and prepare for timely reverification and potential workforce disruptions. For details see the full article here . New Guidance from IRS on No Tax on Overtime. Last week, the Internal revenue Service issued updated FAQs on the No Tax on Overtime provision under HR 1, which added a new tax deduction for qualified overtime compensation. The deduction allows individuals to deduct up to $12,500 of qualified overtime pay annually ($25,000 in the case of a joint return) but may be reduced if a taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers). Developed in coordination with the Department of Labor and Office of Personnel Management, the updated FAQs replace previous FAQs issued in January 2026 and provide more extensive guidance on overtime eligibility and exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, reporting qualified overtime compensation, and federal income tax withholdings from wages. The FAQs also include a guidance for employers on calculating qualified overtime compensation to be paid to an employee for purposes of the deduction. This includes instructions for alternative methods of computation are used to compute overtime, which may apply to employees of certain residential care facilities. Here is your weekly Workforce Weekly Recap
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Home Care Network: Tuesday August 18th at 2 EST
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Final HHVBP July 2026 IPR's Published
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
UPDATE: Proposed Rule Rolling Back Community Reinvestment Act Obligations Published. As we reported last week, a multi-agency proposed rule seeks to roll back the Community Reinvestment Act and could weaken investment in affordable housing and community development. This proposed rule has now been published in the Federal Register on August 12 kicking off a 60-day comment period that will end on October 13, 2026. The full article can be read here .
By Kierstin Reed August 13, 2026
LeadingAge Webinar on Tenant Compliance Must-Dos for Affordable Senior Housing, August 19, 2-3:15 p.m. ET. Join the LeadingAge housing community for a webinar by compliance expert Jenny DeSilva, who will review unique rules and requirements for HUD-assisted senior housing communities. Participants will receive practical guidance to stay prepared for HUD oversight while supporting older adults as they age in community. Register here . Affordable housing Weekly Recap . Here is your weekly Affordable Housing Weekly Recap
By Kierstin Reed August 13, 2026
CMS Releases Home Health Agency PEPPER Reports
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