Money moves
Medicaid Pending Rate Increases Now Total $1.8B Across 22 States
An AHCA tracker shows 22 states have proposed or enacted Medicaid SNF rate increases for 2026 totaling $1.8B, the largest pipeline of state rate actions in a decade.
Policy watch
CMS Issues FAQ on 24/7 RN Mandate Exemptions and Waivers
CMS published a 28-page FAQ document clarifying that facilities must demonstrate a documented, good-faith recruitment effort over 120 days to qualify for a 24/7 RN waiver.
Compliance
National Guard Deployed to Two SNFs After Catastrophic Pipe Failures
Record cold in Tennessee led to burst pipes at two SNFs, displacing 180 residents and prompting National Guard deployment for emergency relocation.
Deal watch
REIT Consolidation Accelerates: Welltower Acquires $420M SNF Portfolio
Welltower acquired a 26-facility SNF portfolio from a private operator for $420M, marking the REIT's largest SNF transaction since 2019 and signaling renewed confidence in the sector.
The bottom line
Nearly $2B in Medicaid rate increases are in the pipeline across 22 states, the 24/7 RN waiver bar is high, and REIT capital is flooding back into SNFs.