Webinar Monday on Medicaid Changes in Senate Repeal and Replace Bill

AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar on Monday, June 26 at 12 PM Eastern to provide information about the Senate's draft proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Please take a moment to review the email from Mark Parkinson sent yesterday here.

During the webinar, AHCA Briefing Call with Mark Parkinson on Medicaid Changes in Senate Repeal and Replace Legislation, staff will provide an overview of the bill, summarize issues and concerns for the profession, outline next steps in the legislative process, and discuss how you can take action.

We encourage you to join Monday's webinar as the ACA repeal and replace effort is the biggest threat we have faced to Medicaid in the history of the sector.

Click here to join.

If you are unable to participate, a link to the recording will be available on ahcancalED as soon as possible following the webinar.

This message contains confidential information and is intended only for AHCA/NCAL membership. Dissemination, distribution or copying the contents of this email beyond this group is strictly prohibited.

CMS Delay of Compliance with HCBS Setting Rule

On May 9, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an Informational Bulletin extending the timeline for compliance with the Medicaid home and community-based settings rule.  CMS indicates that states should continue progress with their statewide transition plan to be approved by March 17, 2019, but the agency is extending the transition period for states to demonstrate compliance with the settings criteria by 3 years to March 17, 2022.  For assisted living communities and other providers of home and community-based services, this extension provides relief as they work with states to ensure they meet the criteria for a home and community-based setting.  More guidance about the rule can be found here.

AHCA Members Meet with HHS Secretary Price to Discuss Maintaining Access to Quality Long Term Care

American Health Care Association (AHCA) President and CEO Mark Parkinson joined association members in a recent meeting with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tom Price, M.D., to discuss challenges the long term care profession faces as the nation’s population ages and the importance of maintaining access to quality long term care.

AHCA members discussed with Secretary Price the need for responsible regulation that supports and incentivizes quality improvement.  Recent regulatory changes impose both redundant and unnecessary stipulations on providers and are not focused on improving care at the bedside. AHCA members specifically noted that some of the practices detailed in the Requirements of Participation, which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued last October, interfere with person-centered care and day-to-day operations.  Secretary Price and AHCA members also discussed significant improvements in key quality measures across the long term care profession.  In 2012, the Association launched its Quality Initiative, which challenges providers to improve key quality performance measures. 

Members in attendance at the meeting with Secretary Price included Tom Coble, Chair of AHCA Board of Governors, and President and CEO of Elmbrook Management Company; Bob Hagan, President of Sterling Healthcare, Inc.; Neil Pruitt, Jr., Chairman and CEO of PruittHealth.



(L-R): Neil Pruitt, Jr., Mike Cheek, Bob Hagan, Secretary Tom Price, Tom Coble, Mark Parkinson, and Dr. David Gifford

‘Family is Forever’ Designated as 2017 Theme for National Assisted Living Week

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) recently revealed “Family is Forever” as this year’s theme for National Assisted Living Week®.  The annual, national observance provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and surrounding communities to celebrate the individuals served in assisted living and learn more about this sector of long term care. ​​​​​

“Anyone who has spent valuable time in an assisted living community has seen how staff can come to think of their residents like family,” said NCAL Executive Director Scott Tittle. “It takes a special person to work in our profession, and often, caregivers form bonds that can never be broken.  This National Assisted Living Week, we want to recognize these amazing individuals who give their heart and soul to their residents, as well as those seniors and individuals with disabilities who leave a lasting imprint on their caregivers.”

Established by NCAL in 1995, National Assisted Living Week (NALW) will be held Sept. 10-16, 2017.  This year’s theme is inspired by a quote from the poet Maya Angelou: “Family isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” Assisted living communities across the country are encouraged to organize activities and events during NALW that celebrate these deep connections between staff and residents.

The “Family is Forever” logo is available for download to assisted living communities, stakeholders, and members of the public on the NALW website.  In the coming months, NCAL will issue a planning guide and product catalog centered on ways to celebrate “Family is Forever.” Please visit www.NALW.org for updated information and resources.

AHCA Summary of Interpretive Guidance for Emergency Preparedness Requirements

As you may know from previous AHCA correspondences, the Emergency Preparedness Final Rule was released on Friday, September 16, 2016. The rule impacts skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IIDs), but does not apply to assisted living providers.

On June 2, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidance (IG), which can be found here. AHCA members are highly encouraged to look through the IG. Providers will need to comply with the final rule by November 2017. Click here for a summary AHCA put together of the IG for your use. Finally, AHCA has an Emergency Preparedness Final Rule Webinar Series that can be found here. The next webinar will be on Thursday, July 13, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern, with guest speaker J. David Weidner, MPH, REHS, MEP, CEM, Director of Emergency Management at the Health Care Association of New Jersey, and will focus on emergency exercise design in 60 minutes or less. Please contact Erin Prendergast (SNF Providers) or Dana Halvorson (ICF/IID Providers) with any questions.

Long Term Care Advocates Recognized at AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) recently recognized the 2017 Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Award recipients at its annual Congressional Briefing event. Two advocates for the long term and post-acute care profession were recognized for their commitment to care for seniors and individuals with disabilities:

• Dirk Anjewierden, Executive Director, Utah Health Care Association
• Greg J. Elliot, Vice President, American Medical Facilities Management (AMFM)

AHCA/NCAL gives this award to association members who have worked directly to educate members of Congress about the needs of long term and post-acute care patients and to advance quality care. The award recognizes caregivers who possess the same compassion for – and commitment to – the country’s elderly and individuals with disabilities that exemplified the work of former president and CEO of Illinois-based Heritage Enterprises, Joe Warner.

ICF/IID Reports

AHCA's Research Department has released the following June 2016 updates for use by AHCA/NCAL members:

• LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) Standard Health Survey Report, June 2016
• LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), June 2016

If you have any questions relating to these reports, which include important ICF/IID state and national data, please contact AHCA’s Senior Research Analyst, Kiran Sreenivas.