Legislative and Agency Corner

AHCA/NCAL Welcomes Nomination of Andy Slavitt for CMS Administrator – ahcancal.org
AHCA/NCAL Applauds Senate Finance Committee for Approval of NOTICE Act – ahcancal.org

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 Sept. 17, 2015, between 2-3:30pm ET, AHCA will host a webinar entitled, “Strategies for Addressing Workplace Violence in Healthcare Facilities and Ensuring Compliance with OSHA’s New Guidelines.”  Healthcare workers face an increased risk of workplace violence in their work and data suggests that 70% of workplace assaults occur in the healthcare industry.  In response, OSHA recently released an update to its Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers and it has indicated that it will focus on the hazards associated with workplace violence in all healthcare industry inspections.  The publication includes suggested best practices and provides some insight on how to reduce the risk of violence in various healthcare and social service settings.  Attend our webinar to learn about the new OSHA guidelines and strategies that can help you successfully address the unique challenges that the healthcare industry faces in tackling this workplace challenge.  You can register for the webinar here.

IRS Webinar Series offered on ACA Provisions for Employers and Coverage Providers

According to a July 15, 2015, IRS Tax Tips email alert, “If you’re an employer or health coverage provider, you can attend a series of educational webinars this summer to help you understand the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) employer provisions and related requirements. The IRS is presenting three different webinars in July that will each be repeated in August and September.  The IRS designed these webinars for business owners, tax managers, employee benefits managers and health coverage providers.  All time listed below are Eastern Daylight Time.

Employer Shared Responsibility and Information Reporting
Learn about the ACA’s employer shared responsibility provisions and information reporting requirements for employers and providers of minimum essential coverage.

• July 28, 11 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m. – Click here to register
• Aug. 20, 1 – 2:30 p.m. – Click here to register
• Sept. 16, 1:30 – 3 p.m. – Click here to register

Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage Information Reporting Requirements for Applicable
Large Employers Learn about employer-sponsored health coverage information reporting requirements for applicable large employers, including who is required to report, what information the law requires you to report, and how to complete the required forms.

• July 29, 1 – 2 p.m. – Click here to register
• Aug. 11, 1 – 2 p.m. – Click here to register
• Sept. 10, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Click here to register

Information Reporting Requirements for Providers of Minimal Essential Coverage
Learn about the information reporting requirements for providers of minimum essential coverage, including employers that provide self-insured coverage.  Learn who is required to report, what information the law requires you to report, and how to complete the required forms.

• July 30, 1 – 2 p.m. – Click here to register
• Aug. 26, 1 – 2 p.m. – Click here to register
• Sept. 22, 1 – 2 p.m. – Click here to register 

For more information about the ACA and tax provisions for employers and health coverage providers, visit IRS.gov/aca.”  Please also visit AHCA/NCAL’s ACA website.

I Believe In You

According to Dr. Bryan K. Williams, “I believe in you. Those four simple words are incredibly powerful, yet are not used often enough. While I don’t know for sure, I would bet that most working adults have never heard those words said to them. Regardless of your job title, each person has the direct ability to brighten someone’s day by using those four, simple words. I believe in you..”  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 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 2015 Events

Global Summit on Innovations and Health in IDD - July 27-29, 2015
Disability Research Consortium Annual Meeting - Aug 5-6, 2015
The National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference - Aug 31- Sept 3, 2015
AHCA’s ID/DD Day - Oct 4, 2015
AHCA/NCAL’s Annual Convention & Expo - Oct 4 - 7, 2015
Pediatric Complex Care Association Annual Conference - Nov 4 - 6, 2015   

2015 Health Care Observances

The 2015 AHCA/NCAL Health Care Observances Calendar can be found here.  August marks, among other observances, National Immunization Awareness Month and Medic Alert Awareness Month.