| Long Term Care Group Joins CEOs for White House Roundtable on Afghan Resettlement Efforts | https://www.providermagazine.com/Breaking-News/Pages/Long-Term-Care-Group-Joins-CEOs-for-White-House-Roundtable-on-Afghan-Resettlement-Efforts.aspx | Long Term Care Group Joins CEOs for White House Roundtable on Afghan Resettlement Efforts | | | | | 10/27/2021 4:00:00 AM | | <p></p><p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) have released a statement after participating in a virtual <a href="http://links.ahca.org/u/click?_t=3abc5280edfa42b5905fbea7c0fff5c2&_m=226ea47b27d64733acd3991dbdf50ff5&_e=xpFaNoGAIEOFAHUvBKVkdsmuoaSRvCuvKWIzj3Rwdsi8Q0JHW6j6UdIeGlkik_uLlU2eZ3RDJ5gkXl0kPv5Rx943A2by3eIPXVXCkogLn6huskjt6-mGp6yWsDzZBQUTCyy_RXBmrPyd8242sk6-rl3HlYsGDHSo9zsOkJMxdT3zw_crTlDXZydy5xshFmc9wpUzZeH_es14xOLofdDeOBPwTqDv0qz4SdTukRLGEDU0hlJTGxboXTZ7M59zDPmiI2HAOwFbfwu2Zdoh_1HbXJrNv31cg3hWp3eOhm8X1a8rOLtgSm_CySQwT4ChMVzacBcAZ2blZ57SQWQVcyx68LJEac5YATf9zhdc5Nz4zbd3nIFj0zaZy6pkFHlhG7s3H7hUepWVCeCdkt893Lm-NI949ok-fCIi9hOimJn7oEg%3D">roundtable</a> with chief executive officers from major American companies to discuss Operation Allies Welcome, an effort by the White House to support Afghan refugees as they resettle in the United States.</p><p>The statement from Clifton Porter II, senior vice president of government relations at AHCA/NCAL, says:<br><br>“We appreciate the White House and Operation Allies Welcome for facilitating this critical discussion. Immigrants, including refugees, are a valuable part of the long term care workforce, providing critical support to older adults and individuals with disabilities nationwide. Individuals who are willing to serve our vulnerable residents—especially during a global pandemic—deserve our appreciation and support. <br><br>“We are proud to partner with groups like <a href="http://links.ahca.org/u/click?_t=3abc5280edfa42b5905fbea7c0fff5c2&_m=226ea47b27d64733acd3991dbdf50ff5&_e=xpFaNoGAIEOFAHUvBKVkdqb0zhbKiWkKm5dxQbU8qHF2B_Ar5kQCImIqUefh6RteeDFpf0pNM-vu5pC33o7t5LDA_n59-BPTuH82p_Zs2jCRGOmwEnFnuEBlfmzUEik2rTexcOK1VsPxU1hQMkaPmmfPp_6OWqwB8P6qzUtIzlZxA4VjJ4GQeiaHGpafvvgP2PoMG-9_uRrqU5tYRAALWVrjmIJnZzu6We08TnSnzdsIsnqUJwJU3D-2dzMDSszE_U03pnYApEWqk8Wry6v0wA%3D%3D">Welcome.US</a>, the International Rescue Committee, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services that help refugees and immigrants discover these rewarding careers in long term care.</p><p>“Providers welcome these newcomers with open arms and will do everything in our power to help them through this transition and moving forward. Together, we can ensure our nation's seniors receive the highest quality care while creating a bright future for our new Afghan neighbors."<br></p><p></p> | | |
| AHCA, NCAL Issue Statement on Upcoming House Subcommittee Hearing on Supporting Caregivers, Providers | https://www.providermagazine.com/Breaking-News/Pages/AHCA,-NCAL-Issue-Statement-on-Upcoming-House-Subcommittee-Hearing-on-Supporting-Caregivers,-Providers.aspx | AHCA, NCAL Issue Statement on Upcoming House Subcommittee Hearing on Supporting Caregivers, Providers | | | | | 10/26/2021 4:00:00 AM | | <p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) have released a statement ahead of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on legislation to better support America’s caregivers and health care providers.</p><p>The statement by Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive of AHCA/NCAL, says:</p><p>“We appreciate Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo and Ranking Member Brett Guthrie for holding this important hearing today, as well as the leadership of House Energy & Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. and Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers. We are encouraged that members of the committee are focused on improving health care by supporting direct caregivers and providers, particularly those in the long term care sector.</p><p>“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated longstanding staffing challenges within our profession, and we must prioritize legislation that will help us recruit and retain more workers. We support <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/331?s=1&r=3">HR 331, </a>the Nurses Certification and Recognition of Experience (Nurses CARE) Act, and <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5602/text?q=%7b%22search%22:%5b%225602%22%2c%225602%22%5d%7d&r=2&s=2">HR 5602,</a> the Bolstering Infectious Outbreaks (BIO) Preparedness Workforce Act of 2021.</p><p>“HR 331 would help alleviate current labor shortages by expanding training opportunities for Temporary Nurse Aides (TNAs) who stepped up to serve during the pandemic, and HR 5602 would establish a loan repayment program for infection preventionists in nursing homes. In addition, AHCA and LeadingAge have proposed the <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/Advocacy/Pages/Care-For-Our-Seniors-Act.aspx">Care for Our Seniors Act,</a> which offers several solutions that will further assist in bolstering our workforce.</p><p>“Our elderly population is growing rapidly, and we must be prepared to meet the increased demand for long term care services. Establishing a strong workforce is an essential component of this process. We look forward to working with lawmakers on legislation that will ensure all caregivers are supported so that seniors have access to a robust, quality long term care system.” <br></p> | | |
| AHCA, NCAL Applaud CDC, FDA for Approving Booster Shots for Long Term Care Residents, Workers | https://www.providermagazine.com/Breaking-News/Pages/AHCA,-NCAL-Applaud-CDC,-FDA-for-Approving-Booster-Shots-for-Long-Term-Care-Residents,-Workers.aspx | AHCA, NCAL Applaud CDC, FDA for Approving Booster Shots for Long Term Care Residents, Workers | | | | | 10/22/2021 4:00:00 AM | | <p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released the following statement in response to the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve booster shots of the Moderna and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines for certain individuals, including residents and health care workers in long term care.</p><p>The following statement is attributable to David Gifford, MD, chief medical officer of AHCA/NCAL:</p><p>“Once again, we appreciate the FDA and CDC for thoroughly examining the data and following the science to help protect Americans, including our nation’s most vulnerable, from COVID-19. All long term care residents and staff members will now be eligible to receive a booster shot thanks to these expanded recommendations.</p><p>“Additionally, the ability to mix-and-match vaccines for the booster dose will make it easier for long term care facilities to swiftly access these vaccines for their residents and staff. </p><p>“The rollout of the Pfizer booster shot has gone incredibly well in long term care, and we are confident that adding Moderna and Johnson and Johnson into the mix will catapult our efforts. We appreciate the partnership of federal and state governments, as well as long term care pharmacies and other vaccine providers, to make these vaccination efforts in nursing homes and assisted living communities efficient and successful.”<br></p> | | |
| AHCA, NCAL Send Letter to Federal Trade Commission on Staff Agency Price Gouging | https://www.providermagazine.com/Breaking-News/Pages/AHCA,-NCAL-Send-Letter-to-Federal-Trade-Commission-on-Staff-Agency-Price-Gouging.aspx | AHCA, NCAL Send Letter to Federal Trade Commission on Staff Agency Price Gouging | | | | | 10/21/2021 4:00:00 AM | | <p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) sent a letter this week to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan, requesting assistance with an anticompetitive practice with direct care staffing agencies.<br><br>In the letter, AHCA/NCAL President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Parkinson describes how the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred an unprecedented workforce crisis within the long term care sector.<br></p><p>According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing homes and residential-care facilities employed 3 million people in July, down 380,000 workers from February 2020. Providers are doing all that they can to hire and recruit workers, including sign-on bonuses, wage increases, and referral bonuses.<br><br>Amid these circumstances, direct care staffing agencies are charging exorbitant prices to long term care facilities that need workers. AHCA/NCAL state affiliates are undertaking legislative efforts to prevent these agencies from charging more than double and—in some cases—as much as quadruple the amount operators are currently paying their staff.<br></p><p>AHCA/NCAL requests that the FTC use its authority to investigate this price gouging and take appropriate action to protect long term care facilities.<br><br>Read the full letter <a href="/Breaking-News/Documents/AHCA_NCAL%20FTC%20Staff%20Agency%20Letter%2010.19.21.pdf">here</a>.<br></p> | | |