AHCA/NCAL Not for Profit (NFP) Members Presenting on U.S. Capitol Hill HIT Briefing Panel

On Wednesday, February 25, from 12noon – 1:45pm ET in the Senate Russell Office Building Room 385, the Capitol Hill Steering Committee on Telehealth and Healthcare Informatics will host a briefing entitled, Adopting Information Technologies for Post-Acute and Long Term Care:  Achieving Care Continuity.  Care continuity is of critical importance given the need to improve health delivery efficiency and quality.  In today’s fast changing health care environment, long term and post-acute care (LTPAC) providers need to develop close relationships with key strategic partners including hospitals, health plans, and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).  Health IT platforms that have the capacity to communicate and share data between payers and providers will be essential.  LTPAC providers lag behind HITECH-eligible providers, such as hospitals and physician practices.  In an environment where many providers are operating on narrow margins and absent any incentive funding, LTPAC providers need to find the resources necessary to implement these modern electronic information systems.

Those in attendance at the briefing will get to hear from federal agency leaders and industry experts on how health IT will support these new care delivery models, drive value-based payment, and support quality outcomes.  This expert panel will discuss the latest in health IT potential and issues in support of the rapidly evolving payment mechanisms.

The Expert Panel Includes:

• Kelly Cronin and Liz Palena Hall, Office of the National Coordinator for HIT, DHHS (Invited) 
• AHCA/NCAL NFP member, Rusty Williams, VP & CIO, Good Samaritan Health, Sioux Falls, S.D.
• Richard Brennan, Jr., MA,  Vice President of Technology Policy, Government Affairs,  National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC)
• AHCA/NCAL NFP member, Gary Kelso, President and CEO, Eden Mentor, Mission Health Services, UT
• Neal Neuberger, Executive Director, HIMSS Foundation’s Institute for e-Health Policy (IeHP) (Moderator)

Click here to register for this important briefing.  The 22 year-long Capitol Hill Steering Committee on Telehealth and Healthcare Informatics, has convened more than 200 widely attended educational sessions and healthcare technology demonstrations since 1993 for Members of Congress, congressional staff, key federal agency officials, industry professionals and the general public.  Visit www.e-healthpolicy.org for more program information.  The Capitol Hill Steering Committee on Telehealth and Healthcare Informatics Honorary Co-Chairs include: Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT); Mike Crapo (R-ID); John Thune (R-SD); Tom Udall (D-NM); Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); and Representatives Tim Murphy (R-PA); Michael Burgess (R-TX); Doris Matsui (D-CA); Rep Erik Paulsen (R-MN); Tom Price (R-GA); Diane Black (R-TN); and Michael Honda (D-CA). 

Kudos on Being a Resource

Let’s give a shout out to our Immediate Past Chair, Gary Kelso, for helping the NFP Council be a source for information about the status of Not for Profits in various sectors of the long term  and post-acute health care community.  Last month, National Public Radio (NPR) in Washington State approached AHCA for a national perspective on the status of county-run SNFs.  Over the course of several days and a few false starts at an interview, Gary and the NPR reporter connected and the results, under the headline “In Rural Areas, Public Nursing Homes Close One By One,” are here.  We’ll let you know next time AHCA/NCAL comes a callin’ for the scoop on being NFP.  If you have any questions regarding this story, please contact AHCA's Tom Burke. 

NFP Grassroots Advocacy

Steven Chies, AHCA’s NFP Council Chair, encourages AHCA’s NFP providers to participate in our grassroots advocacy efforts in 2015.  AHCA would like to help you get facility tours and in-district meetings set up over future recess days.  Please provide your name, facility address, and email address and we will craft the invite and send it to you to send to the Congressional office.  The four brief steps for a successful facility tour visit can be found here.  Please feel free to contact Matthew Smyth and Dana Halvorson who can help you with all of the logistics.

NFPs Engaging in the Political Process

For more information on how NFPs can engage in the political process, please review this webinar and handout from Wiley Rein, LLP.  Both documents will give members of 501(c) 3 tax exempt organizations an overview of what they can and cannot do in regards to lobbying and political activity.  For issue briefs, talking points and more, visit AHCA’s advocacy page.

U.S. Congressional Calendars

 

As you are planning your visits with members of Congress and their staff in Washington, D.C., or in your district, the Congressional calendars will be of assistance to you. The U.S. House of Representatives calendar for the 114th Congress, first session, can be found here. The U.S. Senate schedule for the new Congress can be found here. The dates in black reference the times the U.S. Senate is in session.  The red dates represent when the U.S. Senate is in recess.

Social Media Strategies

Communicators and advocates from across the sector host a webinar every 3^rd Thursday of each month at 3pm Eastern to coordinate social media strategy and share ideas.  During the webinar this month, we will be reviewing AHCA’s Hill issue briefs and talking points and how we can use them in social media.  From beginners to seasoned social media gurus, we welcome anyone willing to learn more about these important platforms of information sharing.  They’re becoming crucial in our campaigns on and off Capitol Hill.  Be sure to also visit our Facebook page.  Email AHCA’s Manager of Grassroots and Member Advocacy, Michael Cowden, to become involved today! 

AHCA/NCAL Advocacy App

If you haven’t already heard about it, then we wanted to alert you to a great app that allows you to keep abreast of AHCA advocacy efforts.  Among other things, it provides important talking points, issue briefs and features that allow you to take action.  It will be useful not only to you, but serves as a great way for providers to weigh in.  You can get the app by clicking on the appropriate black box below.

 

Download our advocacy app!

   

Stay on Track with the NCAL Spring Conference

Give yourself the opportunity to expand professionally by attending the 2015 NCAL Spring Conference, March 9-11, 2015 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida!  With the theme Thriving in a New Health Care Environment, the NCAL Spring Conference features two distinct tracks (Tools and Strategies) that each bring focused and tangible information to participants.  Earn up to 10.5 CEUs from the latest from experts in the assisted living profession, and network with your peers from across the country.

AHCA’s State of the States Clearinghouse

AHCA members now have access to key Medicaid and Medicare information through the new State of the States Clearinghouse.  The AHCA State of the States Clearinghouse is a one stop shop for key Medicaid and Medicare information impacting the long term care profession.   

This new resource provides valuable data, including:

• Overview of the demographic landscape;
• State-specific nursing center occupancy and ownership breakouts; 
• Certificate of Need requirements for nursing centers and state licensure requirements; 
• State data on the cost of care for long term services and supports;  
• State data on the total number of Medicare enrollees; 
• Data on state Medicare Advantage plan enrollees and comparisons to the national average; 
• State and national Medicaid expenditure data;
• State Medicaid rates, costs and shortfalls;
• And other significant state-specific data related to payment structure, managed long term services and home and community based services coverage.

AHCA will continue to provide the most up-to-date information through the Clearinghouse and share new data/resources as they become available.  Also be sure to visit the AHCA Medicaid Page to learn more about the program and to access additional AHCA members-only Medicaid resources.

2014-2015 Flu Season

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) webpage on the 2014-2015 influenza season has several materials and resources you might find helpful, including (among others):

• A Toolkit for Long-Term Care Employers:  Increasing Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Personnel in Long-term Care Settings
• Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView
• National Influenza Vaccination Week
• Communications to Health Care Providers
• Influenza Training
• Weekly US Map: Influenza Summary Update
• CDC Flu Vaccination Pledge for the 2014-2015 Season
• Influenza Antiviral Quiz for Clinicians

Articles and Resources of Interest

• Social Determinants of Health – HealthyPeople.gov
• New IRS Tool Can Help You Find a Tax Preparer – IRS.gov
• Ten Great Reasons to Visit IRS.gov – IRS.gov
• February is Heart Month – CDC.gov
• Researchers Identify 8 Signs of Impending Death – healthfinder.gov
• Health Tip: Get the Most from Exercise – healthfinder.gov
• Winter Preparedness for Vulnerable Populations – American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry
• Veterans: Are You at Risk for Heart Disease? – Veterans Health Administration
• VA Health Care Utilization by Recent Veterans – U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
• A New and Improved VA Prescription Label – Veterans Health Administration

Legislative and Agency Corner

• Feds To Appeal Ruling On Caregiver Wage Protections – Disability Scoop, LLC
• HHS proposes path to improve health technology and transform care – HHS.gov
• Houses Passes Bill to Promote Charitable Giving – Committee on Ways and Means
• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Tax Provisions – IRS.gov

Webinars of Interest

• Stay informed and tune in to AHCA/NCAL-hosted pre-recorded and live webinars on a number of topics, including the Affordable Care Act, impacting the long term care profession. 
• AHCA/NCAL webinar:  Affordable Care Act: Clearing up the Confusion for Employers in 2015! – March 5, 2015 at 2:00 PM ET (60 minutes)
• AHCA/NCAL webinar:  What Employers Need to Know Regarding ACA Reporting and Tax Requirements – March 25, 2015 at 2:00 PM ET (60 minutes)

Personal Excellence: The BIG Decision Each Person Must Make

According to Dr. Bryan K. Williams, “No one can make you have enthusiasm.  Success, vitality, and achievement are all a direct result of it.  One of the most beautiful sights to behold is someone who is fully engaged in what they do and enthusiastic about their craft.”  “At the end of the day, however, enthusiasm is a personal choice.  Despite the best leadership practices and organizational standards, having a strong commitment comes down to each person making a personal decision about how exceptional they are going to be.”  The full blog version of the “Personal Excellence: The BIG Decision Each Person Must Make” article can be found here. 

Dr. Williams is a consultant, trainer, and author, who focuses on the areas of service excellence and organizational effectiveness.  He has spoken at numerous AHCA/NCAL events, and his passion is to serve others so they may better serve the world.  Here is a link where you can see some of Dr. Williams’ book recommendations on service, leadership and personal development.

National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities

The National Association of Sates United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) holds monthly calls concerning topics of interest to those who work in the field of aging and disability the first Thursday of every month at 3pm EST.  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 2015 Events

• 2015 AHCA/NCAL Quality Symposium – Feb. 23 – 25, 2015
• NASVH's 2015 Winter Conference – March 2 – 5, 2015
• 2015 NCAL Spring Conference – March 9 – 11, 2015
• 2015 Independent Owner Leadership Conference – March 11 – 13, 2015
• 2015 ID/DD Hill Fly-In Event – March 24, 2015

2015 Health Care Observances

The 2015 AHCA/NCAL Health Care Observances Calendar can be found here.  March marks, among other observances, National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Brain Injury Awareness Month.