Washington, DC – As the nation celebrates Veterans Day by honoring those who have served our country, the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is proud to advocate for the passage of H.R. 2530, sponsored by Congressman Michael Michaud (D-ME), which would provide more adequate reimbursement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to State Veterans Homes for nursing home care to service-connected disabled veterans.    

“The staff in long term care facilities in AHCA/NCAL’s membership are honored to serve our nation’s heroes—those who have fought for our freedom,” said Gary Kelso, Chair of AHCA’s Not for Profit Council. “This legislation would provide greater access to the high quality care that these individuals need and deserve.”

Representing over half of the nation’s State Veterans Homes, civilian nursing homes and assisted living facilities that provide care to veterans, AHCA/NCAL is working in conjunction with the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH) to promote the benefits of the legislation. AHCA/NCAL is also collaborating with the VA Central Office to create a new contract vehicle which will streamline administrative procedures between the VA and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Today specifically, AHCA/NCAL honors those veterans residing in state veteran homes and other care settings throughout the nation. In addition to state veteran’s home membership, many of AHCA/NCAL’s civilian nursing home members serve veterans through the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Community Nursing Home contract program.

“Veterans Day is very special within the system of State Veterans’ homes across the country because there is such a strong sense of camaraderie,” said Kelley Kash, CEO of Maine Veterans’ Homes and retired US Air Force Colonel, as well as an active member of AHCA/NCAL.  “It is an honor for our staff to care for these men and women who served our country and it is especially heartwarming to see how the local communities recognize our Homes’ veterans with their various events.”

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) represent nearly 11,000 non-profit and proprietary facilities dedicated to continuous improvement in the delivery of professional and compassionate care provided daily by millions of caring employees to 1.5 million of our nation's frail, elderly and disabled citizens who live in nursing facilities, assisted living residences, subacute centers and homes for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org or www.ncal.org.