AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Clifton J. Porter II has been recognized as one this year's
Top Lobbyists by The Hill, a prestigious award among Washington, D.C., lobbyists and industry leaders. This honor comes on the heels of Porter's first official year at the helm of AHCA/NCAL and follows his recognition by Modern Healthcare's
“The 100 Most Influential People" in health care list for 2025. It marks the third consecutive time he has made the list.
This recognition reflects several major victories for the profession as President and CEO. Porter led AHCA/NCAL through critical federal budget reconciliation negotiations, ultimately persuading lawmakers to carve out nursing homes and intermediate care facilities from reductions to Medicaid provider taxes—the only health care sector to achieve such protections. In addition, Porter spearheaded the Association's defeat of the unrealistic federal staffing mandate for nursing homes. Two U.S. district courts ruled against the policy, Congress passed a 10-year delay of the rule, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued an interim final rule repealing the requirements.
Earlier this year, Porter and AHCA/NCAL launched
The Better Way, the Association's forward-looking policy agenda that offers Congress and the administration meaningful policies to improve America's nursing homes and prepare for the nation's aging population.
The lobbyists on The Hill's list represent the industry's most influential advocates on Capitol Hill who have made significant impacts on policy and politics in the past year. Porter was selected from more than 1,800 nominations this year, according to The Hill. This recognition further highlights his positive influence in the long term care profession and his commitment to AHCA/NCAL's mission of improving lives by delivering solutions for quality care.