Since the release of CMS’ proposed minimum staffing rule, AHCA/NCAL has set a goal of submitting more than 10,000 comments to CMS on the proposed rule. In addition, the Association, its members, and advocates have been heavily engaged on other advocacy fronts, including rolling fly-ins, hosting facility and community tours, and organizing district meetings.
On September 9, AHCA/NCAL facilitated a member-wide webinar on submitting comments for the proposed minimum staffing rule. Future Leaders, Diversity Executive Leadership Program Scholars, and Political Ambassadors have had over 60 meetings with members of Congress, telling them about the problems with the newly proposed staffing mandate. More member flyins with key legislators will continue through November 6 when the proposed rule comment period ends. AHCA/NCAL members have hosted nearly 150 facility tours with members of Congress. These tours are critical in advocating for the long term care community and specifically educating on the issues with the proposed minimum staffing rule.
There is still an opportunity to get involved in advocating against the proposed minimum staffing rule, including:
- Inviting your Representative to tour your facility or community while they are in recess the first two weeks of October and the first week of November.
- It is also a good time to do an in-person district meeting at their office. For assistance in setting up facility or community tours or a district meeting, contact Heather Posthumus.
- Participating in the rolling fly-ins in Washington, DC. Contact Chris Donnellan for more information.
- Submitting comments on the proposed rule. Comments are due by November 6. If you’d like a personal webinar for your company on submitting comments, email Matt Smyth.