The 2018 AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo

A stable workforce directly impacts the quality of care you provide at your centers.  That’s why this year’s convention includes an entire track of programming devoted to workforce issues. You’ll find sessions on recruitment, retention, Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ), and more.  You’ll also share ideas and concerns with other long term and post-acute care professionals who understand exactly what you’re facing on a day-to-day basis.  You are sure to walk away with specific strategies and plans to help you create the strong workforce culture you need to succeed.

So don’t delay.  Get all the details and select the registration package that meets your needs.  Early bird savings ends July 20.

AHCA Statement on Veterans Affairs Provider Agreements Included in VA Mission Act

On May 23, 2018, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) President and CEO Mark Parkinson issued the following statement regarding the Senate passage of the VA MISSION Act, which includes a provision to authorize VA Provider Agreements for long term and post-acute care providers:

“VA provider agreements are an essential step to ensuring veterans have access to long-term and post-acute care. This legislation will help remove some of existing the red tape that may prevent providers from being able to provide care, broadening options for veterans who need both nursing center care and home and community-based services.

“AHCA would like to thank our Congressional leaders on this issue, including Senators John Hoeven and Mike Rounds and Representative Bruce Poliquin, among others, who have been strongly advocating to get this issue across the finish line for our nation’s veterans.”

More information on the VA Mission Act and VA provider agreements can be found here.  Please contact AHCA’s Senior Director of NFP & Constituent Services, Dana Halvorson, with any questions that you might have. 

NFP Grassroots Advocacy – Facility Visits over Recess

Gary Kelso, AHCA’s NFP Council Chair, encourages AHCA’s NFP providers to participate in our grassroots advocacy efforts in 2018.  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.

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. 

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 115^th Congress, second session, can be found here.  The U.S. Senate schedule for 2018 can be found here​.

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 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.