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Over 500 Long Term Care Professionals Gathered For AHCA/NCAL’s Congressional Briefing
HealthLeaders Media (6/5, Ray, 118K) reports that "more than 500 long-term and post-acute care professionals gathered on Capitol Hill" on Monday for AHCA/NCAL’s annual Congressional Briefing. This "weeklong event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill beginning Tuesday, June 6." Along with "presenting issues in long-term and post-acute care to legislators, they will also hear from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington." AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson said in a statement, "It is crucial that we share our story with members of Congress, so it is amazing to see so many of our members here in D.C. this week to do exactly that." Moreover, AHCA Chair Phil Fogg said, "We must share the meaningful and vital work we do in providing quality care to millions of Americans, the hurdles in place that make caring for our residents more difficult, and the need for policymakers to invest in our seniors and their caregivers."
McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (6/6, Marselas) reports the attendees on Tuesday will "try to head off a minimum staffing rule and win support for legislation that could make recruiting and training workers easier." During his opening remarks Monday, "Parkinson said providers were well positioned to argue the improvements they had made during the pandemic and convince lawmakers to more seriously consider the legislative and financial support they need." Fogg also "encouraged providers to look forward to what he predicts will be better times after another two- to three-year slog." Meanwhile, on Monday, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) offered support in fighting the federal staffing mandate.
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KHCA/KCAL's VP of Operations and Education, Polly Berkley with NCAL's Future Leader, Brett Pu of Village Shalom. |
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KHCA/KCAL's VP of Operations and Education - Polly Berkley, US Congressman - Jake LaTurner (Representing the 2nd District of KS), VP of National Accounts at Medline Industries, Inc. - John Cervino, VP of Operations for Axiom HealthCare Services - Brian Barbeau |
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AHCA Prepared To Take Legal Action Against Federal Staffing Mandate
McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (6/7, Marselas) reports AHCA Government Relations Senior Vice President Clif Porter "said Tuesday his group is prepared to take legal action if an upcoming federal staffing mandate proves to be overly prescriptive." Over 500 AHCA/NCAL members gathered in Washington, DC "this week for meetings with their Congressional representatives," and "most were asking for support in making sure the staffing rule, details of which have still not been made public, offers a reasonable chance of compliance." Porter said, "If it’s going to be bad, the question is how bad. I think we’ve shaped the ‘how bad,’ but we’re still going to need to work on fixing it." Meanwhile, on Tuesday, "AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson and several providers beseeched lawmakers for solutions that would lead to a pipeline of workers, rather than a punitive measure that might increase burnout among existing workers who would be stretched too thin."
Skilled Nursing News (6/6, Siddiqi) reports other industry leaders "sounded alarms over the possibility of a minimum staffing rule at the conclusion of their meeting with policy makers Tuesday." Parkinson added, "I know that the folks that want to do this are well-intentioned, but the results will be the opposite of what they want. Seniors will not be benefited. They will be hurt because access will decline."
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Infection Control Pathway Updated to Reflect End of Staff Vaccine Requirement
This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated the Infection Control Critical Element pathway related to the end of the Healthcare Provider Vaccine Mandate announced May 31, 2023. The pathway was updated to remove all surveyor guidance related to F888 (Staff Vaccine).
Surveyors are advised to verify compliance with requirements for educating and offering COVID-19 immunization only. All other areas regarding staff COVID vaccines were removed from the pathway. The Entrance Conference form was also updated to remove all staff vaccine requirements. The Entrance Conference form removed the need for facilities to maintain a vaccine matrix. Facilities are reminded to continue to document vaccine education to both residents and staff.
There is also a change unrelated to the vaccine update. Under "Instructions" for the Interim LTCSP Initial Survey and Certification Process, facilities that are not yet certified should still complete minimum data set (MDS) assessments, despite not being able to submit them until the facility is certified.
The Final Rule was added to the Federal Register, as expected. The rule becomes effective on August 4, 2023.
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Last Week for 2023 AHCA/NCAL Awards Program Nominations
The deadline to submit nominations for the 2023 AHCA/NCAL Awards Program is Friday, June 9, 2023 via Award Force. Members are strongly encouraged to nominate those in their community who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service in the long term care profession. READ MORE
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NEXT WEEK: KCAL District 1 Round Table
Thursday, June 15, 2023
1:30PM - 3:00PM
Mission Chateau Assisted Living
4100 W 85th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66206
(Enter on the North Side)
Located on the west side of Mission Road, a block south of Corinth Square.
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.
If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP to Teresa Keating by emailing tkeating@khca.org. Please indicate your name, what community you are with, and a phone number where you can be reached. You will then be sent a calendar invite.
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Webinar: Long-Term Care Antimicrobial Stewardship: Focused Initiatives Targeting Common Infections & Disease Scenarios
This Antimicrobial Stewardship Webinar Series for Long-Term Care (LTC) & Communal Living settings will be with Dr. Wark on the following Thursdays from 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (3rd Thursday of the month).
Session #1 - June 15, 2023
Session #2 - July 20, 2023
Session #3 - August 17, 2023
Session #4 - September 21, 2023
Session #5 - October 19, 2023
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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
F684 is showing up more often in the past couple of years. The real conundrum about this tag is the requirement that facilities follow “professional best practice”. Is your facility doing that?
The direction of this tag is that facilities have the primary responsibility to identify and to each and every resident, needed care and services while following each resident’s preferences and goals for care which obviously need to be resident-centered. The Intent of this regulation clearly states that the care and services provided need to meet professional standards of practice as well as meet each resident’s physical, mental and psychosocial needs. READ MORE
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Assisted Living Workforce Issues Poised To Dominate Discussions Between AHCA/NCAL, Congress
McKnight’s Senior Living (6/5, Bowers) reports that "assisted living workforce issues are expected to dominate discussions when representatives of the National Center for Assisted Living and its affiliated organizations gather" this week "in the nation’s capital for a Congressional Briefing along with the American Health Care Association." For example, in a survey by the "Pennsylvania Health Care Association, all responding owners of assisted living residences and personal care homes said they are worried that assisted living communities and personal care homes could lose staff members to nursing homes if a minimum staffing requirement is implemented for nursing facilities by the federal government." According to the article, "AHCA/NCAL expects more than 500 attendees at this year’s event, a spokeswoman said." NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea said, "Our greater objective is really to … bring providers from communities, from facilities, across the country to Washington DC, to let their legislators know, both in the House and the Senate, what is impacting them." During "meetings with members of Congress or their staffs, NCAL representatives and providers will stress the importance of several pieces of legislation to the assisted living industry."
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Free Webinar: Ethical Considerations of Self-Determination in Medical Settings
Join Interim Healthcare for an informative discussion on the role of ethics, law, policy, and personal values in navigating complex patient scenarios, and learn how these factors shape responsible healthcare choices.
6/8/2023 12:00PM - 1:30PM
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Assisted Living Lunch and Learn: A Deeper Look at FCS/NSA and HSP
6/9/2023 10:00AM - 2:00PM
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MDS - RAI Changes Workshop
6/12/2023 9:00AM - 4:00PM
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Nurse Leadership Conference
6/13/2023 11:00AM - 6/14/2023 4:00PM
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Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.25 Quality of Care Requirements
6/13/2023 1:30PM - 3:00PM
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Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Helps and Hints for Housekeeping
6/27/2023 1:30PM - 2:30PM
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6 Week Series: Restorative Nursing Excellence: Revitalizing Programs and Restoring Function After COVID-19
Every Thursday from June 22-July 27 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
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Adult Care Home Operators Course
7/12/2023 9:00AM - 7/24/2023 10:00AM
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Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
We are excited to announce our new AIT Program! Click here for more details.
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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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