Daily Briefing — Thursday, August 13, 2026
CDC warns a deadly superbug is spreading fast in nursing homes
Health worries lead today's news. The CDC is warning about Candida auris, a hard-to-treat fungal infection, after 3,400 cases turned up and the germ keeps spreading in nursing homes. It can be dangerous for frail older adults, so families may want to ask facilities how they keep residents safe.
There is also news about closings and care quality. In New York, the troubled Waterview Heights nursing home is set to shut its doors on August 25 after years of fines. Investigators in Baton Rouge are looking into a home labeled one of the worst in the country, where a family says a loved one died of neglect.
On money matters, some Medicare plans are changing. Mass General Brigham says it will adjust coverage for certain Medicare plans, and one trial may offer Medicare recipients weight-loss GLP-1 drugs without a specific diagnosis. These shifts could affect what care and medicines you can get.
Top Stories
- CDC warns of superbug Candida auris spreading in nursing homes
With 3,400 cases reported, this hard-to-treat infection poses a real danger to frail older residents and raises questions about safety in care facilities.
- Waterview Heights nursing home to close Aug. 25 after years of fines
Residents and families must find new care after repeated penalties forced the home to shut down, part of a larger pattern of troubled facility closings.
- Family says loved one died of neglect at Baton Rouge nursing home
The home is labeled among the worst in the country, showing why families should closely watch the quality of care their loved ones receive.
- Mass General Brigham to change coverage for some Medicare plans
Coverage changes could affect which doctors and services older adults can use, so it pays to check how your Medicare plan may be affected.
- New York nursing home residents seek raise from $50-a-month allowance
Residents have received just $50 a month for personal expenses since 1988 and want that outdated amount increased to keep up with today's costs.
Related Reading
- Democrats eye expanded Medicare coverage if they take U.S. House · The Washington Post · 5h ago
- KING: Medicare for All Is the Wrong Fix for the Healthcare Crisis · NH Journal · 9h ago
- Medicare Part D redesign reshapes market · Managed Healthcare Executive · 12h ago
- What Comments Reveal About CMS’ Proposed Medicare Home Health Rule · Home Health Care News · 13h ago
- UnitedHealth Group To Cut Prior Authorizations For 1,700 Services, Including Home Health · Home Health Care News · 13h ago


