WASHINGTON D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), along with 15 other health care organizations, sent a
joint letter yesterday to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to request an extension of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration.
The letter emphasizes that now is not the time to let our guard down as health care providers continue to face new COVID-19 variants. The PHE offers key resources and flexibilities that are critical to helping providers quickly adapt to changing dynamics of this ongoing pandemic.
The following is a statement from Clif Porter, senior vice president of government relations for AHCA/NCAL in relation to the joint letter:
“Long term care residents and staff have been uniquely impacted by this pandemic. Even after two years, we continue to battle COVID every day and grapple with historic workforce and economic challenges the pandemic has exacerbated. Our residents are the most vulnerable when it comes to this virus, and therefore, they deserve the greatest support and highest prioritization. We urge the federal government to prioritize long term care residents and staff by extending the PHE so that providers can continue to offer the most efficient and effective care possible.”
To read the full letter, click
HERE.