Washington, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released the following statement after a hearing held by the U.S. House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.
The following statement is attributable to Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL:
“Nursing homes and assisted living communities have been on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 and we appreciate today’s robust discussion about the pandemic and all we are doing to safeguard those in our care. Our heroic caregivers are working around the clock in the face of extraordinary circumstances to protect our residents. Thanks to their tremendous sacrifice, the majority of those who are infected – despite being extremely vulnerable to the virus due to ongoing health conditions – make a full recovery.
“In order to ensure more recoveries and prevent future spread, long term care providers must have the resources they need. Our greatest challenge remains lack of widespread testing, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and staffing support. We appreciate the renewed focus in prioritizing testing and PPE for nursing homes and assisted living communities, but more must be done. Lack of proper funding for these critical supplies puts our caregivers and the residents they care for at a severe disadvantage.
“It’s not too late to make improvements. The health and well-being of our residents and caregivers will always be our highest priority, and we look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers to help meet these critical needs.”
ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
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 nearly 5 million seniors and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our facilities each year. For more information, please visit
www.ahcancal.org or
www.ncal.org.