Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Convention & Expo Preliminary Program is Available

The AHCA/NCAL Preliminary Program is now available. You can download a copy or review it online. Watch your mailboxes this week for a copy. Get an overview of the exciting education sessions, guest speakers, networking events, and Expo Hall.  Be sure to attend the NFP Day sessions on Tuesday, October 15th!

Don’t wait to register! Save $100 on all Premium/Full Meeting Registration packages when you do Early Bird Registration. Other Early Bird savings may apply depending on your registration type.  You can save an additional $100 on registration when you stay at a hotel in the AHCA/NCAL room block.  That's a minimum savings of $200 if you register by July 26th.  Learn more about all of your registration options and reserve your spot today.

Not for Profit Provider Education Offered at the AHCA/NCAL Convention

On Tuesday, October 15, during the 70th AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, special programming for Not for Profit providers include sessions focused on leadership and accountability, workforce challenges, and survey and certification issues.  You'll also have great opportunities for networking and sharing ideas and experiences.  The Not for Profit Reception caps off the day from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm and is an excellent opportunity to network and catch up with other providers from around the country. It is just one of many special events taking place over the four-day convention in October.  More information can be found here.

AHCA/NCAL Announces 2019 Bronze National Quality Award Recipients

On June 4, 2019, 590 long term and post-acute care providers in 48 states were recognized with the 2019 Bronze - Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).  The Bronze award is the first of three distinctions possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, which honors long term and post-acute care providers that have demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which is also the basis of the metric-based AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative.  The Baldrige program helps organizations across different business sectors use strategies to improve performance and organizational effectiveness.  A full list of the recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website here​.

Medical Expense Deduction Coalition Praises House, Senate Legislation

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living has joined with other members of the Medical Expense Deduction Coalition, including AARP, on a letter to lawmakers who introduced bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate to make permanent the 7.5 percent threshold for the medical expense deduction.  The coalition sent the correspondence to Reps. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and Kenny Marchant (R-Texas) in support of H.R. 2073 in the House and to Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) to back companion legislation in the Senate, S. 110.  In the House, the bill was referred to the Ways and Means Committee for further action and in the Senate to the Finance Committee.

In the correspondence, the coalition said for the past 75 years, people with high health care costs have been able to deduct medical expenses from their taxes.  And, for the approximately 4.4 million Americans who annually do this, the deduction provides important tax relief in helping to offset the costs of acute and chronic medical conditions for older Americans, children, pregnant women, and other adults, as well as the costs associated with long term care and assisted living.  You can read more on this Coalition effort and the medical expense deduction in this Provider article. 

We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative

AHCA/NCAL began a new social media advocacy initiative this year and is encouraging all members to get involved.  The effort focuses on improving the overall image of the post-acute and long term care profession by sharing positive stories and pushing back on pieces that attempt to tie all providers to isolated negative events.

AHCA/NCAL will be sending interested members tips for getting more involved on social media, best practices for posting content, sample posts, and a roundup of positive stories about the profession on a regular basis. Individuals who want to get involved should email socialmedia@ahca.org to get on the mailing list. AHCA/NCAL is encouraging all members to get involved.

The campaign also will include a rapid response to stories that are unfairly negative about the profession or do not accurately portray the reality of post-acute and long term care.  AHCA/NCAL hopes to build on these successes as the year continues. With thousands of buildings nationwide who touch the lives of millions of people, there is the chance to seriously affect the way the profession is viewed and treated by lawmakers and the media.

Articles and Resources of Interest

Legislative and Agency Corner

National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities

The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) holds a monthly call or webinar concerning topics of interest to those who work in the field of aging and disability.  One of the past calls focused on resources for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their caregivers.  Information about future calls, and audio recording of previous ones, can be found here.

Upcoming 2019 Events

2019 Health Care Observances

July 2019 marks, among other observances, Eye Injury Prevention Month, UV Safety Month, Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, and Cord Blood Awareness Month.  The 2019 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.