KHCA/KCAL is committed to providing our members with important updates. Below is a list of the most recent information. Please visit our website for a list of complete updates. www.khca.org/covid-19-resources
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Legislative Update – a President’s Message
Sine Die
Did you know?
Sine Die is a Latin term that means, “without day.” When a legislature adjourns sine die, it means it is the final adjournment of the assembly without a day being set for reconvening.
The 2022 Kansas Legislature wrapped its business for the year today, Monday, May 23, 2022. The House gaveled out Sine Die at 1:30pm and the Senate followed suit at 2:20pm. For this final day, the Legislature was expected to take up 3 issues vetoed by the Governor:
1. Substitute for Senate Bill 34 - Prohibiting governmental entities and public officials from taking certain actions related to a contagious or infectious disease, limiting powers of the governor and other governmental entities under the Kansas emergency management act to require face masks, requiring judicial review of certain emergency actions to occur without unreasonable delay and limiting powers of the secretary of health and environment related to enforcement of quarantine and student inoculation requirements. Neither the House or the Senate took up this issue for an override attempt so the veto has been sustained.
2. House Bill 2387 - Prohibiting the issuance of a request for proposal or entering into a new contract for the administration and provision of benefits under the medical assistance program and removing the authority of the governor to prohibit attending or conducting certain religious services and worship services. The House voted to override the veto by a margin of 84 to 38 so the veto was over-turned. The Senate voted to override the veto by a margin of 27 to 10 and the veto was over-turned.
3. House Bill 2252 - Prohibiting the modification of election laws by agreement except as approved by the legislative coordinating council. The House voted to override the veto by a margin of 84 to 37 so the veto was over-turned. The Senate voted to override the veto by a margin of 27 to 10 and the veto was over-turned.
As a reminder, the veto attempt must be approved by a super majority in both chambers in order to override the Governor’s veto.
Look for a flurry of activity this summer and district primary races heat up. We will keep you informed of our advocacy efforts. Please reach out should you have questions or would like to host a candidate fundraising event.
Linda MowBray
KHCA/KCAL President & CEO
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KDHE to ship POC Antigen tests to all LTC Communities. Last day to opt out is May 26th
Kansas Department of Health and Environment has excess inventory of GenBody point-of-care (POC) antigen tests that we have allocated specifically for congregate care facilities with licensed beds. These are available free of charge to you. The expiration date listed on the package will fall in October or November of 2022. Please note that the manufacturer has requested a shelf life extension so it is likely that date will extend into the first quarter of 2023, or beyond. KDHE will notify you when the shelf life extension is granted.
KDHE will be shipping the tests out in two separate allotments over the next several months. They have allocated the number of tests/facility based on the number of licensed beds in that facility. A spreadsheet that indicates the number of tests allocated to your facility for the first shipment can be found by clicking here.
If you DO NOT want to receive your full allocation, or you prefer not to receive any tests at all, please complete the KDHE COVID-19 Test Confirmation Form. The form will allow you to:
1. Request a reduced number of tests
2. Opt out of this offer of free tests
3. Accept your full allocation of tests
The deadline for submission of this form is May 26, 2022. If KDHE has not received your request to opt out of receipt of the free tests or to receive a reduced number of tests by May 26, they will ship you the full allocation of tests available for this first distribution. If you are in urgent need of tests, please respond to the KDHE COVID-19 Test Confirmation Form and indicate that in the question field. They will work to ship your tests out as soon as we are able.
You will receive a second communication prior to the second round of test distribution where you will have the option to opt out or receive a reduced number of tests for that allotment.
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KCAL District 1 Round Table
Friday, June 3, 2022
2:00PM - 4:00PM
Mission Chateau Assisted Living
4100 W 85th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66206
Assisted Living Round Table with Kansas Center for Assisted Living Board Members and KHCA/KCAL President/CEO Linda MowBray
Includes all Assisted Living, Home Plus, and Residential Health Care Communities in Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte Counties.
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Letter re KDHE Home Health Regulations effective 5/20/22
Do you provide Home Care Services as part of your portfolio? This memo is for you.
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Missing or Wrong Data at Admissions Costs SNFs Millions
Skilled nursing providers are leaving millions of reimbursement dollars on the table due to avoidable and costly billing errors — with most coming during the intake and admissions process. READ MORE
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KDADS issues memo with Information Regarding the Termination of Federal 1135 Blanket Waivers and Kansas House Bill 2477
This memo applies to ALL Adult Care Home Types. Including Skilled Nursing and State Licensed Only Communities and addresses In Service Training, Temporary Nurse Aides and aspects of Physical Environment.
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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
As I write this, I am “basking” in the information I received at the AHCA Quality Summit that was Monday through Wednesday of this week. I just can’t help but share some of the information. (Mostly because sharing the information with you is the reason I was allowed to attend the Summit). By the way, Orlando is beautiful, but it is hot & humid for sure.
I attended a session on “Focusing on Life Safety” presented by ick Gabriele who is a retired fire chief and now consults with Jensen-Hughes. He started with discussing the sunsetting of the 1135 waivers. There were dozens of 1135 waivers issued at the beginning of the pandemic and now facilities should be preparing for the sunsetting of those waivers. On April 7, 2022, CMS announced that these waivers would stop in 60 days (June 6, 2022). Those waivers that require preparation include: READ MORE
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Monkeypox Virus Infection in the U.S. and Other Non-Endemic Countries
Cases of monkeypox have previously been identified in travelers from, or residents of, West African or Central African countries where monkeypox is considered to be endemic. KDHE is issuing this advisory to ask clinicians to be vigilant to the characteristic rash associated with monkeypox. READ MORE
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All-Occupancy Rates Up Across Senior Living, With Assisted Living Recovering More Quickly Than Independent Living, Data Show
McKnight’s Senior Living (5/20, Steele Gaivin) reports, "All-occupancy rates are up across senior living, but assisted living occupancy appears to be recovering more quickly than independent living, according to new data [PDF] from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care." According to NIC’s "Intra-Quarterly Snapshot released Thursday, the all-occupancy rate for senior housing for the 31 NIC MAP primary markets increased to 81.1% in the April reporting period." Since June 2021, NIC Chief Economist Beth Mace "noted, assisted living occupancy has increased by 4.3 percentage points, 2.4 percentage points more than independent living, which has increased 1.9 percentage points since June 2021."
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There’s Something for Everyone at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo |
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There are so many learning opportunities at this year’s AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo. Over the course of four days, you can choose from more than 100 sessions in 20+ tracks, covering all critical aspects of long term and post-acute care. You’ll also have the chance to earn up to 14.75 CEs. Whether you are a c-suite executive, administrator, DON (nursing supervisor), corporate staff, or an assisted living professional, there’s something for you at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo! READ MORE
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2023 National Quality Award Applications Available Now
The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is excited to announce that the 2023 application year is now open. For the first time, application packets are available three months earlier than previous years so that skilled nursing care centers and assisted living communities can begin to prepare. We encourage members to take advantage of this additional time to download application packets and materials and to begin planning, reviewing and gathering relevant data. READ MORE
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Nurse Leadership Conference - June 14 & 15, 2022 in Manhattan, KS
This special Nurse Leadership Conference sponsored by Encore Rehabilitation is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing. It’s been a while since we’ve been together in person. Let’s celebrate all that we’ve accomplished, together.
Click here for more details. Click the image to view the full brochure.
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Webinar: MDS Mastermind Series: Becoming a CAA and Care Planning Maestro
5/25/22 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
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AAPACN RAC-CT Certification - In Person
Topeka, KS
6/1 - 6/3/22 from 8:30AM - 5:00PM
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Nurse Leadership Conference - In Person
Manhattan, KS
6/14/2022 11AM - 6/15/2022 3:30PM
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QAPI for Assisted Living - Lunch and Learn - In Person
Topeka, KS
6/17/2022 12:00PM-4:00PM
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Fearless In the Face of Crisis (On Demand Education)
Fearless in the Face of Crisis is the ultimate playbook for leaders. A self-directed, online course it contains five modules, made up of short, easy-to-digest videos, that are filled with simple actions you can take immediately.
7 NAB approved CE approved
View at your convenience!
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The Stability Zone (On Demand Education)
The Stability Zone is a go-at-your-own-pace, online program that is brimming with my very best stress-busting advice! Just like Fearless in the Face of Crisis, this course contains quick, easy-to-implement actions in bite-sized videos. The Stability Zone is the main course, the pièce de résistance, to get leaders full of stress-free hacks and JOY, delicious joy! One of the best parts of The Stability Zone is that leaders can share this joy by teaching their teams how to banish their stress for good too!
6.5 NAB approved CE approved
View at your convenience!
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Kansas Health Care Association and the Kansas Center for Assisted Living
1100 SW Gage Blvd. | PO Box 4770 | Topeka, KS 66604
PH: 785-267-6003 FAX: 785-267-0833
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