CMS agreed this week to publish the names of 54 nursing homes it has targeted as being the worst in their respective states on its website. The homes, which are located in 33 states as well as the District of Columbia, are those that stand out even among CMS's list of 120 homes in need of special oversight. CMS has been naming such "special focus facilities" for about a decade, and has states review them every six months rather than each year.

The 54 homes singled out by CMS are those which are not only named as special focus facilities, but also failed to improve in subsequent reviews after they were targeted. Their failure to improve is notable given that half or more of special focus homes actually do improve care quality within 24 to 30 months, according to federal data.

To find out more about this issue:
- read this Minneapolis Star-Tribune piece [1]

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