Today

Massachusetts moves to shut down all 12 RegalCare nursing homes over safety failures

Good morning. The biggest news today comes out of Massachusetts, where state officials are moving to revoke the licenses of all 12 RegalCare nursing homes. Reports say the chain had four "immediate jeopardy" findings in three years — the most serious kind of safety warning. In New York, one troubled nursing home in Rochester has closed its doors, and some people worry it points to a larger crisis ahead.

It is also Medicare open enrollment season, with a December 7 deadline. Many news outlets are reminding older adults to look closely at their plans, because coverage and costs can change from year to year. Several reports describe free local help for people who find Medicare confusing.

There is also talk in Washington about long-term care reform and a possible new Medicare home-care benefit. And a reminder to be careful: a software CEO was sentenced to 19 years in a $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme involving unneeded braces.