danny

This story was updated on January 31 at 9:32 a.m. with PharMerica's statement.

The Federal Trade Commission issued a complaint last Friday to block Omnicare, Inc.'s, hostile acquisition of rival long-term care pharmacy provider PharMerica Corporation, alleging that the combination of the two largest U.S. LTC pharmacies would harm competition.

The complaint also argues Omnicare’s attempted takeover would enable the pharmacy services provider to raise the price of drugs for Medicare Part D consumers and others.

The seniors housing occupancy rate continued its slow recovery in the fourth quarter of 2011, while construction activity continued to decline, according to NIC MAP, the data analysis service of the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry (NIC).

More than 6 percent of Americans age 70 to 89 develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) every year, according to new research released by the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

Long-term care merger and acquisition activity rose 39 percent in 2011, with 161 deals having been completed during the calendar year, according to research publisher Irving Levin Associates, Inc.

Total dollar volume in LTC mergers and acquisitions rose to $16.3 billion, a 34 percent spending increase over 2010.

In addition to last year’s improved performance, the research firm predicted “strong deal making” to continue in the long-term care and hospital sectors.

For the second year in a row, the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) have released an assessment of the long-term and post-acute care industry, citing an increased commitment to quality care—along with a greater likelihood of future funding cuts.

A visit to the emergency department during non-summer months was associated with a three-fold risk of acute respiratory or gastrointestinal infection in elderly residents of Canadian LTC facilities, according to a study in Canadian Medical Association Journal.

While the nation’s overall nonprofit sector posted a 10-year record of job growth from 2000 to 2010, achieving an average annual growth rate of 2.1 percent during that time, nonprofit nursing homes lost significant market share to for-profits, according to a new Johns Hopkins University report.

For-profit nursing home providers experienced job growth by 2.3 percent from 2000 to 2010, while nonprofits experienced job growth by only 1.3 percent, the report found.

The theft of up to 3,000 painkillers from an Oklahoma nursing home has led one arrest and an investigation of four former employees, NewsOK reported.

The House Ways and Means Committee voted Wednesday to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act from healthcare reform.

The repeal of the CLASS program, which was intended to provide insurance for long-term care, was included in the Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act approved by the committee. The bill now moves to the full House for a vote.