| Letter to Governors: Make Long Term Care a Priority for a COVID-19 Vaccine | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/Letters/NGA-Letter-Vaccine-Priority.pdf | Letter to Governors: Make Long Term Care a Priority for a COVID-19 Vaccine | | | | | 9/29/2020 4:00:00 AM | | | AHCA/NCAL sends a letter to the National Governors Association, urging that governors make long term care priority for a COVID-19 vaccine. | |
| Nursing Homes Warn Congress: Don’t Leave Town Without Delivering Additional COVID Funding for Health And Long-Term Care Providers | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/Nursing-Homes-Warn-Congress-Don’t-Leave-Town-Without-Delivering-Additional-COVID-Funding-for-Health-And-Long-Term-Care-Prov.aspx | Nursing Homes Warn Congress: Don’t Leave Town Without Delivering Additional COVID Funding for Health And Long-Term Care Providers | | | | | 9/28/2020 4:00:00 AM | | <p><strong></strong><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C.</strong> - The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, warned Congress today that if they don’t pass another COVID funding package public health agencies and health care providers could find themselves less than completely prepared heading into the cold and flu season, as well as underfunded to handle another major spike in COVID cases.<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>With 70% of the $175 billion Provider Relief Fund provided by the CARES Act back in April already distributed and remaining funds likely to be allocated by early October, health care providers, including long term care facilities, will need additional funds to continue its response to the COVID pandemic heading into the cold and flu season, which provides new challenges.<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>Michael T. Osterholm, a University of Minnesota epidemiologist <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/coronavirus-states-cases-increase/2020/09/22/105826b4-f9ef-11ea-a275-1a2c2d36e1f1_story.html" target="_blank">recently pointed out</a> the challenges with the upcoming flu and cold season: “I think we’re just in the beginning of what’s going to be a marked increase in cases in the fall. And it won’t be just a testing artifact, either. This is real.” Further complicating the flu and cold season ahead is the fact that COVID cases are rising as CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/22/coronavirus-cases-grow-in-more-than-half-of-us-states.html" target="_blank">reported</a>, “Coronavirus cases in the U.S. are beginning to rebound following weeks of reported declines and warnings from top U.S. health officials that the country could be vulnerable to fresh outbreaks coinciding with the forthcoming flu season.”<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), stated that Congress needs to end the partisan logjam and prioritize frontline health care workers and residents, particularly vulnerable elderly populations.<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>“Without replenishing funds for federal and state agencies, health care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living communities, could find themselves less than completely prepared for the challenges of the upcoming cold and flu season, which could inevitably result in an uptick in new COVID cases,” stated Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. “With the cold and flu season adding a real complication to the ongoing COVID pandemic response, the need for extra testing, personal protective equipment and staffing, will need to be met in order to keep caregivers and residents safe.”<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>Parkinson is urging Congress to provide an additional $100 billion for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Provider Relief Fund, which is accessible for all health care providers impacted by COVID-19. A sizeable portion of the fund should be dedicated to helping nursing homes and assisted living communities acquire resources associated with protecting vulnerable residents and staff from the virus, including constant testing, PPE and staff support.<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>“Without adequate funding and resources, the U.S. will repeat the same mistakes made during the initial outbreak last spring and the major spike over the summer. We need Congress to prioritize our vulnerable seniors and their caregivers in nursing homes and assisted living communities, by passing another COVID funding package before they leave town for the elections.”<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>For more information, please visit <a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Emergency-Preparedness/pages/coronavirus.aspx" target="_blank">www.ahcancal.org/coronavirus</a>. </span></p><div><br></div><div><strong>ABOUT AHCA/NCAL</strong></div><div>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit <a href="/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">www.ahcancal.org</a> or <a href="/Assisted-Living/Pages/default.aspx">www.ncal.org</a>.<br></div><div><br></div> | AHCA/NCAL warned Congress that if they don’t pass another COVID funding package, public health agencies and health care providers could find themselves underfunded to handle another major spike in COVID cases heading into the cold and flu season. | With nearly all of the initial Healthcare Provider Relief Fund from CARES Act spent and COVID cases rising in 22 states, U.S. will be unprepared heading into cold and flu season |
| AHCA/NCAL Issues Statement Following Release of Independent Commission Report | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/AHCANCAL-Issues-Statement-Following-Release-Of-Independent-Commission-Report.aspx | AHCA/NCAL Issues Statement Following Release of Independent Commission Report | | | | | 9/16/2020 4:00:00 AM | | <p><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>Washington, D.C.</strong> – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released the following statement following the release the final report by the independent Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes (Commission) on the safety and quality in nursing homes in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, will attend a discussion on the findings of the report tomorrow at the White House with Vice President Mike Pence, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield, some members of the Commission and other public health and senior care experts.<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>The following statement is attributable to Mark Parkinson:<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>“We are pleased to see the Commission acknowledge what we have been saying from the beginning - there must be shared responsibility with public health officials prioritizing our residents in long term care and helping facilities acquire necessary resources to combat this global pandemic. The Commission’s review and findings lay out some of the important work that is needed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in nursing homes and further improve the quality of care we deliver.<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>“As we prepare for a potential rise in cases this fall, we must arm nursing homes and other long term care facilities with a steady stream of resources to ensure they have adequate tests, personal protective equipment and staff support.<br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>“We appreciate the members of the Commission who contributed to this important discussion and look forward to working with the Administration to bring aspects of this report to fruition and keep our residents and staff safe.”</span></p><div><br></div><div><strong>ABOUT AHCA/NCAL</strong></div><div>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit <a href="/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">www.ahcancal.org</a> or <a href="/Assisted-Living/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">www.ncal.org</a>.<br><br></div> | AHCA/NCAL released the following statement following the release the final report by the independent Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes (Commission) on the safety and quality in nursing homes in relation to the COVID-19. | |
| America’s Assisted Living Communities Convey Why “Caring is Essential” | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/America’s-Assisted-Living-Communities-Convey-Why-“Caring-is-Essential”.aspx | America’s Assisted Living Communities Convey Why “Caring is Essential” | | | | | 9/13/2020 4:00:00 AM | | <p><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C.</strong> – Beginning today and continuing through Saturday, Sept. 19, America’s assisted living communities are participating in National Assisted Living Week® (NALW). The national observance—which begins each year on National Grandparents’ Day—honors the individuals who reside, work and volunteer in assisted living and residential care communities with special activities and events. <br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>Created by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) in 1995, this year’s NALW theme is “Caring is Essential,” reflecting the hard work and dedication of all the essential caregivers in assisted living communities across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed much of the day-to-day life of the staff and the residents for the time being. Despite these hurdles, staff continue to provide high-quality care to residents in senior living and should be honored for the incredible work they do every day.</span></p><div><br></div><div>“With many friends and family still unable to enter the buildings due to COVID, caregivers in assisted living communities are playing an even more critical role to residents,” said <strong>Scott Tittle, Executive Director of NCAL</strong>. “This National Assisted Living Week, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of heroes working in assisted living today, we must recognize the special relationships residents have with staff and how those bonds enrich everyone’s lives.”</div><div><br></div><div>The annual observance encourages assisted living communities around the country to offer a variety of events and activities to bring together residents, staff and volunteers, while adhering to infection control requirements and precautions in place for COVID-19. Participants are asked to share their celebrations throughout the week on social media with the hashtag, <strong>#NALW</strong>. </div><div><br></div><div>For more information on National Assisted Living Week, please visit <a href="/Education-Events/Pages/NALW.aspx" target="_blank">www.nalw.org</a>.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>ABOUT AHCA/NCAL</strong></div><div>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit<a href="/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"> www.ahca.org</a> or <a href="/Education-Events/Pages/NALW.aspx" target="_blank">www.ncal.org</a>.<br><br></div> | Beginning today and continuing through Saturday, Sept. 19, America’s assisted living communities are participating in National Assisted Living Week®. | Caregivers commemorate National Assisted Living Week® |