As you know, AHCA has been working with the Hill and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the past several years to try to ensure that those who courageously served our country have access to extended care services through VA provider agreements. Providers currently face burdensome regulatory challenges when administering care to thousands of veterans due to onerous regulations surrounding federal contractor status. It is long-standing policy that Medicare and Medicaid providers are not considered federal contractors. However, providers that serve VA patients under a VA contract are considered federal contractors.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Veterans Access to Quality Care Advocacy Awards
Last
week, three members of Congress were recognized at AHCA’s Congressional
Briefing for their outstanding leadership and work on the VA provider agreement
issue. Pictured from left to right are Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Senator John
Hoeven and Rep. Jackie Walorski. Plaques are also being given to Senate
VA Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson, Senate VA Committee Ranking Member Richard
Blumenthal, Senator Jerry Moran, Senator Joe Manchin, Senator Tom Carper and
House VA Committee Chairman Jeff Miller for their tremendous and ongoing
efforts on this issue.
As you know, AHCA has been working with the Hill and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the past several years to try to ensure that those who courageously served our country have access to extended care services through VA provider agreements. Providers currently face burdensome regulatory challenges when administering care to thousands of veterans due to onerous regulations surrounding federal contractor status. It is long-standing policy that Medicare and Medicaid providers are not considered federal contractors. However, providers that serve VA patients under a VA contract are considered federal contractors.
As you know, AHCA has been working with the Hill and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the past several years to try to ensure that those who courageously served our country have access to extended care services through VA provider agreements. Providers currently face burdensome regulatory challenges when administering care to thousands of veterans due to onerous regulations surrounding federal contractor status. It is long-standing policy that Medicare and Medicaid providers are not considered federal contractors. However, providers that serve VA patients under a VA contract are considered federal contractors.
Living the Mission: A Day for Not for Profit (NFP) Providers
The third annual day for NFP providers will
be held during AHCA/NCAL's 66th Annual Convention & Expo in San Antonio,
Texas on Tuesday, October 6. This constituency education program for NFP
providers is packed with motivational and educational speakers, including CMS
and HUD. Lee Ellis, President and founder of Leadership Freedom® LLC, is our
keynote speaker and is a popular media personality and high-profile human
performance expert. Lee focuses on organizational integrity, operational
effectiveness and personal accountability for enterprise, government and NFP
leaders. A prolific writer, blogger and thought leader, Lee's latest
award-winning book, Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi
Hilton, shares his POW experience and the 14 leadership principles that helped
him and his compatriots resist, survive, and return with honor. Attendees will
also have the opportunity to attend the NFP reception, which will cap the day
off.
For a complete list of education sessions included in this program go to our Education Session Full Schedule. If you have any questions about this exciting event, please contact AHCA's Senior Director for NFP & Constituent Services, Dana Halvorson, at dhalvorson@ahca.org.
For a complete list of education sessions included in this program go to our Education Session Full Schedule. If you have any questions about this exciting event, please contact AHCA's Senior Director for NFP & Constituent Services, Dana Halvorson, at dhalvorson@ahca.org.
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.
AHCA’s NFP Council member, Van Moore (pictured to the right), meets with Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR-2, pictured on the left) at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles. Van discussed with the Congressman issues impacting AHCA/NCAL members, including the observation stays issue.
AHCA’s NFP Council member, Van Moore (pictured to the right), meets with Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR-2, pictured on the left) at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles. Van discussed with the Congressman issues impacting AHCA/NCAL members, including the observation stays issue.
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.
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!
AHCA’s State of the States Clearinghouse
AHCA members have access to key Medicaid and
Medicare information through the 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:
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.
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.
We’ve Got You Covered! AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions Website
The
American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living
(NCAL) now offers a variety of comprehensive insurance programs to meet your
business needs. Backed by the strength of our membership, AHCA/NCAL Insurance
Solutions programs are designed with exclusive member savings and discounts for
both the fully-insured or self-insured members.
The program offers health insurance options, group and voluntary benefit packages, an aggressive Stop-Loss insurance program as well as cloud based HR platforms that will help members achieve savings and greater efficiencies on HR services within your company, while also tracking and reporting on key Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements. For more information, please contact AHCA’s Dave Kyllo at dkyllo@AHCA.org and visit the AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions website.
The program offers health insurance options, group and voluntary benefit packages, an aggressive Stop-Loss insurance program as well as cloud based HR platforms that will help members achieve savings and greater efficiencies on HR services within your company, while also tracking and reporting on key Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements. For more information, please contact AHCA’s Dave Kyllo at dkyllo@AHCA.org and visit the AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions website.
Articles and Resources of Interest
-
AHCA/NCAL Named Top Workplace by Washington Post - ahcancal.org
- AHCA/NCAL Taking Steps to Ensure the Responsible Use of Antibiotics - ahcancal.org
- Association Announces 2015 Bronze National Quality Award Recipients - ahcancal.org
- Alzheimer’s Caregiving Tips: Caring for Yourself - nia.nih.gov
- About Alzheimer's Disease: Caregiving - nia.nih.gov
- What You Should Know for the 2015-2016 Influenza Season - cdc.gov
Legislative and Agency Corner
-
Long Term Care Advocates Recognized at AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing - ahcancal.org
- Long Term and Post-Acute Care Advocates Gather on Capitol Hill - ahcancal.org
- Observation Stays Issue Under the Microscope - ahcancal.org
- HUD Secretary Takes Hot Seat on Agency Issues - reversemortgagedaily.com
- MedPAC calls for loosening of '3-day' qualifying stay, RAC auditing reforms - mcknights.com
Webinars of Interest
Stay informed
and tune in to AHCA/NCAL-hosted pre-recorded and live webinars on a number of topics impacting the long term care profession. On June 26, at 1pm ET, AHCA will be holding a
webinar entitled, Just Say “No” to Drugs and “Yes” to Successful Behavior Management. You can register for this webinar here.
In addition, on June 25, from 3-4pm ET, The National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center will hold a webinar entitled, Update on the National Alzheimer’s Project Act – NAPA. You can register for it here. This webinar will provide participants with an update on NAPA. In particular, NAPA will be discussed as it relates to care and services for people with dementia and their caregivers and how updates to NAPA influence practice.
In addition, on June 25, from 3-4pm ET, The National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center will hold a webinar entitled, Update on the National Alzheimer’s Project Act – NAPA. You can register for it here. This webinar will provide participants with an update on NAPA. In particular, NAPA will be discussed as it relates to care and services for people with dementia and their caregivers and how updates to NAPA influence practice.
Shore Lodge
According
to Dr. Bryan K. Williams, “There is
something to be said for ‘owning’ your work and being exceptional, regardless
of who you are serving. Some people…the special ones…are always looking for
ways to show their heart through taking care of others.” To read the full blog posting, please click 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
-
Senior Housing News Summit in Chicago - July 16, 2015
- The National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference - Aug 31- Sept 3, 2015
- AHCA/NCAL’s Annual Convention & Expo in San Antonio, TX - October 4 - 7, 2015
- AHCA/NCAL’s NFP Day at Convention - October 6, 2015
2015 Health Care Observances
The 2015
AHCA/NCAL Health Care Observances Calendar can be found here. July marks, among other observances, Eye Injury Prevention Month
and UV Safety Month.
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