WASHINGTON, D.C. — American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) President and Chief Executive Officer Clifton J. Porter II has been recognized by Modern Healthcare on its “The 100 Most Influential People” in healthcare list for 2025. This honor comes on the heels of Porter’s first official year at the helm of AHCA/NCAL, the nation’s largest organization representing long term and post-acute care providers.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by Modern Healthcare alongside so many passionate, successful health care professionals who are working to improve the lives of people across the world,” said Porter. “This award reflects the incredible work of our entire team, long term care providers across the country, and, of course, the millions of caregivers who do this work every day. Their commitment to delivering high-quality care and improving the lives of residents is a constant source of inspiration for me, and together, we will continue to make significant progress.”
Porter secured several major victories for the profession in his inaugural year as president and CEO. Under his leadership, the Association welcomed new state affiliates, expanding its membership to all 50 states and Washington, D.C., for the first time in more than a generation, and leading to record membership. Porter also led AHCA/NCAL through critical federal budget reconciliation negotiations, ultimately persuading lawmakers to carve out nursing homes and intermediate care facilities from reductions to Medicaid provider taxes—the only health care sector to achieve such protections.
In addition, Porter spearheaded the Association’s defeat of the unrealistic federal staffing mandate for nursing homes, which threatened to displace tens of thousands of nursing home residents and close more facilities. Two U.S. district courts ruled against the policy, Congress passed a 10-year delay of the rule and just last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued an interim final rule repealing the requirements. Under Porter’s leadership, AHCA/NCAL released a series of alternative policy solutions that would better strengthen the long term care workforce under the initiative
Caregivers for Tomorrow.
Porter continues to deliver solutions for quality care. Earlier this year, Porter and AHCA/NCAL launched
The Better Way, the Association’s forward-looking policy agenda that offers Congress and the administration meaningful policies to improve America’s nursing homes and prepare for the nation’s aging population.
Along with these successes, Porter has excelled in the transition from chief advocate to chief executive officer. His passion for workplace culture led to AHCA/NCAL being recognized for the ninth time by The Washington Post as a 2025 Top Workplace in the Washington, D.C. area.
This prestigious recognition program acknowledges and honors individuals who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of Modern Healthcare to be the most influential figures in the industry in terms of leadership and impact. Being selected as one of the most influential people in health care signifies Porter’s positive influence in the long term care profession and his commitment to AHCA/NCAL's mission of improving lives by delivering solutions for quality care.