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 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.
The statement is attributable to Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL:
“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.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated long-standing staffing challenges within our profession, and we must prioritize legislation that will help us recruit and retain more workers. We support H.R. 331, the Nurses Certification and Recognition of Experience (Nurses CARE) Act, and H.R. 5602, the Bolstering Infectious Outbreaks (BIO) Preparedness Workforce Act of 2021. H.R. 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 H.R. 5602 would establish a loan repayment program for infection preventionists in nursing homes. In addition, AHCA and LeadingAge have proposed the Care for Our Seniors Act, which offers several solutions that will further assist in bolstering our workforce.
“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."
ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represent 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 ahcancal.org.