CHUG Team

09/03/2026

"Emerging research highlights the potential of AI-enabled social robots to enhance social interactions in dementia care, according to the study. By leveraging machine learning, computer vision and natural language processing, such robots use text, voice and images to simulate human-live interactions and foster engagement."

https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/can-social-robots-be-effective-long-term-in-dementia-care-heres-where-the-research-stands/

The global increase in dementia, linked to the rise of the world’s aging population, calls for innovative interventions to address care challenges, according to the researchers behind a new study.

08/27/2026

National Preparedness Month is coming, and now seems like a good time to remind you how critical it is for healthcare organizations to keep it at the top of their list.

The Collaborative Healthcare Urgency Group (CHUG) is a one-of-a-kind mutual aid collaboration with healthcare providers across the country.

Our role is to oversee members’ evacuation, transportation, and relocation services, as well as to provide restoration and recovery assistance.

Learn more about CHUG: https://www.chugteam.org/about

We also provide training for members to ensure they’re prepared to respond to emergencies and disasters BEFORE they happen.

CHUG was formed by Connie Polke and Bill Pretzer in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, which exposed a significant deficiency in emergency planning and response.

With decades of experience in fire service, emergency medical services, emergency management, and healthcare, our team of instructors and executives is uniquely positioned to deliver impactful education that prepares members for any crisis.

08/24/2026

Preparedness isn't a once-a-year checkbox, but September serves as a good reminder for the healthcare industry to put it front and center.

Today, CHUG members are running a Full-Scale Exercise as part of the Home Health and Hospice COOP/Downtime series, hands-on training that turns a plan on paper into a plan that actually works.

Registration for the Flood Preparedness Series is still open, but September 10th is closing in fast.

Secure your spot here: https://www.chugteam.org/resources/september-flood-preparedness-series-al-il

National Preparedness Month is a good reminder. The work is year-round.

08/21/2026

Emergencies don't wait for assisted living and independent living communities, and neither should your readiness.

September is National Preparedness Month, and CHUG's Flood Preparedness Series for AL and IL communities kicks off right alongside it.

Three sessions, built around real-world scenarios:
• Workshop: Thursday, September 10, 2026
• Tabletop Exercise: Thursday, September 17, 2026
• Full-Scale Exercise: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Members can also get a head start with CHUG's Flood Tip Sheet (+ 17 more included in the bundle), available now.
Download the Tip Sheets for $49: https://www.chugteam.org/safety-and-emergency-tip-sheets?mc_cid=71d2cdbf2a&mc_eid=UNIQID

These sessions are exclusive to CHUG members, and registration closes one week before each event.

Become a Member to Register: https://www.chugteam.org/become-a-member

Already a Member? Visit the Portal to register: https://www.chugteam.org/member-login

08/18/2026

CMS recently made non-compliance a lot more expensive, and at CHUG, we feel it's important to keep you in the loop.

New proposed rules would make it easier for CMS to revoke Medicare enrollment and extend how far back the agency can claw back payments, echoing the recent suspension of 447 hospices and 23 home health agencies near Los Angeles.

"These proposals would give CMS stronger tools to protect Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse." — Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator

For long-term care, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and hospice operators, this signals that documentation and operational readiness are no longer optional.

Read the full story: https://www.mcknights.com/news/breaking-cms-unveils-aggressive-plan-to-fine-more-easily-expel-noncompliant-medicare-providers/

08/14/2026

A $450,000 settlement just made one thing clear: skipping the risk analysis is the most expensive shortcut in healthcare.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) settled with an employer-sponsored health plan this summer after a 2021 ransomware attack exposed data for more than 10,000 people.

The finding that mattered most wasn't the breach itself; it was that the plan never completed the risk analysis required by HIPAA...before anything happened.

"Effective cybersecurity starts with Security Rule compliance, ensuring that Security Rule provisions are implemented before a cyberattack occurs." — Paula M. Stannard, Director, HHS Office for Civil Rights

Any organization handling protected health information is held to this same standard. Staying prepared starts long before an attack does.

Read the full story: https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/ocr-settles-ransomware-investigation-health-plan.html

08/10/2026

"The types of information potentially exposed vary by individual including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and tax or financial information, medical or health information, health care treatment or diagnostic information and health insurance information."

https://www.claimdepot.com/data-breach/centers-for-dialysis-care-2026

Centers for Dialysis Care data breach exposed data of 8,000 people. Find out what happened, what info was compromised, and what steps to take now.

08/06/2026

Since 2009, more than 935 million healthcare records have been exposed. That's 2.6 times the entire population of the United States.

Hacking now accounts for more than 80% of all large healthcare breaches, and the pace isn't slowing down.

In 2024 alone, nearly 800,000 individuals were affected by a healthcare data breach every single day, driven largely by the massive Change Healthcare attack that impacted an estimated 192.7 million people.

"In 2026, one of the biggest challenges in healthcare cybersecurity is securing the supply chain." — HIPAA Journal

The question for every healthcare organization isn't if they'll be targeted. It's when, and whether they'll be ready.

Read more on the CHUG blog: https://www.chugteam.org/resources/healthcare-data-breach-crisis-is-your-organization-ready

08/04/2026

“The population is aging so quickly and dramatically, and we need to find ways to allow people to stay in the home longer as they advance in their illness and need care,” Tom Koutsoumpas, founder and CEO of NPHI and co-chair of C-TAC, said.

https://www.mcknightshomecare.com/news/organizations-push-for-new-fee-for-service-community-based-palliative-care-model/

Two organizations that represent the hospice and palliative care fields are calling for a new reimbursement model that would allow Medicare patients with advanced illnesses to stay in their homes longer before transitioning into hospice care.

07/31/2026

If 9/11 and the COVID-19 Pandemic taught us anything, it's that people need community.

When we started CHUG in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, we saw a significant deficiency in emergency planning and response being exposed in real time.

With decades of experience in fire service, emergency medical services, emergency management and healthcare, our team of instructors and executives is uniquely positioned to provide an impactful education that empowers members to be prepared for any crisis.

From mutual aid coordination and expert training to exclusive workshops and preparedness resources, everything you need to respond with confidence is in one place.

Learn more: chugteam.org