Washington, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) today gathered more than 450 long term and post-acute care professionals at its annual Congressional Briefing event to take the profession’s legislative priorities to Capitol Hill. Advocates will hear from Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Representative Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), and veteran journalist and New York Times bestselling author Howard Kurtz.
“This is a tough time for long term care providers,” said AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson. “However, our members continue to deliver high quality care for millions of residents, even when faced with challenges such as the tight labor market and potentially devastating financial struggles. Our efforts on Capitol Hill this week are vital. We are sharing our stories and working with members of Congress to protect and strengthen the future of our profession.”
AHCA/NCAL members will share their professional experiences and discuss several topics of importance to long term and post-acute care providers, including:
- significant strides in the quality of care provided in skilled nursing centers and assisted living communities;
- a weak financial environment within skilled nursing that is causing numerous nursing home closures across the country;
- the implementation of the new Patient-Driven Payment Model and unknowns surrounding its impact on skilled nursing providers; and
- the pressing issue of a workforce shortage within the profession.
Attendees will also discuss other significant issues, including the sector’s impact on local economies and the importance of protecting Medicaid for vulnerable seniors and individuals with disabilities who need long term care.
“Providing quality care is the most important thing we do,” said AHCA Board Chair Michael Wylie. “But it is our job to make sure lawmakers understand who we are caring for, how we are doing that, and what we need to successfully continue in these efforts. Our members are truly making a difference in the lives of millions, and I am pleased to see so many of them here this week ready to share their stories.”
ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 13,700 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental 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
www.ahca.org or
www.ncal.org.