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Nursing Home Leaders To Oversee Efforts In 2024 To Increase Funding
Skilled Nursing News (1/5, Siddiqi) reported, "Nursing home leaders from across the nation, including the largest advocacy groups for the sector, plan to oversee efforts in 2024 to increase funding – both from the federal government and through improved revenue streams as operating pressures ease slightly." At the center of such "efforts is an attempt at influencing the political will and countering an unfairly negative public image of nursing homes." American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living President and CEO Mark Parkinson "said 2024 represents a milestone of sorts for the industry." Parkinson told SNN, "There are so many reasons to be optimistic about the future of our work and the opportunities that lie ahead. At the same time, long-term care continues to face one of the biggest threats to our profession: the ongoing workforce crisis. ... A priority of AHCA/NCAL will be ensuring that the Administration, policymakers, and stakeholders understand the full consequences of the proposed mandate." Parkinson added, "I am confident that we will emerge from these challenges with a clear path forward in 2024. AHCA/NCAL will continue our mission to deliver solutions for quality care, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t witness providers across the country putting in the passion, time, and energy required to make this happen."
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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
There are some very interesting infection control issues occurring related to a rise in COVID cases, and a reduction in COVID vaccine rates and the governments change in reimbursement for the vaccines.
Per a Provider Magazine article, the vaccine rates in nursing home residents was “lowest in the most socially vulnerable counties”. CDC attributes the low rates in nursing homes involves: “vaccine fatigue, inaccurate health information, and vaccine hesitancy”. They make no mention that finding reimbursement for the vaccines is very difficult for nursing facilities, thus putting the cost onto the facilities themselves. READ MORE
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TOMORROW! Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Preventing Elopement: Strategies for Resident Safety
1/9/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Are you a current AIT Preceptor or are you interested in becoming one?
We have a high need for Preceptors in the KC area!
If you are a current Preceptor we would love to have you on our list. Please contact Teresa with your Preceptor number at tkeating@khca.org. Are you interested in becoming an AIT Preceptor and shaping the future of the profession? Our team is happy to walk you through that process. Click here for the KDADS information and give Teresa a call at 785-267-6003.
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A Message from the President & CEO Linda MowBray: Our Kansas Commitment
Happy New Year from your KHCA/KCAL Team. We have jumped right back into prepare for next week's start of the 2024 legislative session. During the session, we will make funding, as well as strategies to support your continued workforce challenges, our top priorities.
In the weeks ahead, we look forward to welcoming members to our Aging Services Day at Kansas Health Institute (KHI) and the Capitol on February 1, 2024. For this year’s event, we are partnering with LeadingAge Kansas and the Kansas Adult Care Executives. Click here for more information and your opportunity to register.
We also want to remind you that 2024 membership renewal notices were distributed to facility and associate members last month, and January 10 is the deadline for earning the early-bird renewal discount for dues that are paid in full. This is a 5% discount for your early commitment to your Association. Kristin Plantz can assist with any questions on dues renewals, setting up installment payments or receiving replacement invoices. Jennafer Sumner can answer questions that our Associate Members or potential new facility members might have.
Additionally, KHCA/KCAL has developed a way for individuals to contribute to our Political Action Committee (PAC)! This allows individuals to contribute from their own funds (not business accounts) to strengthen the impact that KHCA/KCAL PAC has with influencing the legislative process. Please remember, all 165 members of the Kansas Legislature (40 Senators and 125 Representative) are up for elections this fall. That means fundraisers, facility visits and generous contributions to election campaigns. It is vital that our PAC is fully funded so we may leverage our position with current and future lawmakers. Click here to learn more and contribute today.
In the meantime, we are grateful for the opportunity to represent you. Since 1951, we've been proud to serve Kansas long term care communities and help our members ensure that our state's seniors receive the highest quality of care. Together, as a member-driven association, we're excited about the possibilities and opportunities that 2024 will bring. Cheers to 2024!
Linda MowBray
President/CEO
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Nursing Home Associations: HHS Needs To Do Its Part to Boost Vaccine Uptake as Latest CDC Data Shows Lags
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Secretary, Xavier Becerra, need to “do their part” to increase Covid vaccination rates among nursing home residents, starting with easing logistical issues that continue to be barriers to uptake. READ MORE
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Updates to the HCBS Provider Qualifications Audit Process
Per Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP) HCBS Bulletin 19216, the State has delegated auditing of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) provider qualifications to the Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). This applies to all providers of HCBS. Auditing of HCBS provider qualifications will occur annually. READ MORE
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Winter Storm and Your Sprinkler System
With weather upon us, keep your sprinkler system in mind. Click here for some quick tips. For more information on winterizing your sprinkler system click here to view the latest issue of Prevention Highlights (Winterizing for Fire Safety)
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Ongoing Person-to-Person Outbreak of Hepatitis A in Shawnee County
Shawnee County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are currently responding to an outbreak of hepatitis A in Shawnee County, Kansas; 84 cases of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection have been confirmed among Shawnee County residents since July 22, 2022. Most cases have been among persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) and/or persons who use drugs (PWUD). However, recent cases have reported no known risk factors suggesting the possibility of transmission outside of these groups. Hepatitis A is a vaccine preventable illness. Early identification of cases, post exposure prophylaxis, and vaccination of at-risk populations are key to preventing and controlling the spread of hepatitis A. Click here for additional details.
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Top Immediate Jeopardy Risks
Understanding Immediate Jeopardy Citations is crucial for ensuring the quality and safety of nursing facility environments. In Fiscal Year 2023, several citations took the spotlight, shedding light on areas demanding careful attention in the year ahead. Let's review the top five Immediate Jeopardy Citations and explore strategies for maintaining ongoing compliance. READ MORE
Click here to view KHCA's Webinar Series: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy & High Risk Tags
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Call for presentations
An essential service to our association is offering high quality training and education to our members. We invite you to join us in our commitment to delivering timely, relevant, and engaging information as we prepare for our 2024 Education Calendar.
We are looking for topics that fit skilled nursing, assisted living, home plus and residential health care communities.
Click here to learn more on our needs and how you can submit a proposal.
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National Quality Award Deadline is approaching!
There is no time like the present! Completing a successful Quality Award application takes time to prepare. Over the next few weeks, keep working on your applications and submit them before the deadline on Thursday, January 25, 2024.
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Join us for Aging Services Day 2024!
Aging Services Day is a collaborative event put together by Kansas Health Care Association/Kansas Center for Assisted Living, LeadingAge Kansas and Kansas Adult Care Executives where Long Term Care Providers gather at the State Capitol to champion the needs of our elderly in Kansas. We will meet in the morning for education then walk together across the street to the Capitol for a full afternoon of legislative advocacy on issues that are crucial to the LTC Profession with our Kansas Legislators. It’s a powerful opportunity to allow your voice to be heard and influence positive change for LTC providers and the population we care for. Be part of the movement for better aging services.
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
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Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for Falls and Accidents
1/16/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: Survey Trends in Assisted Living
1/18/24 - 1:00PM-2:15PM
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Webinar: Care Plans for SSD's
1/23/24 - 1:00PM-2:30PM
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RAC-CT Certification In-Person Workshop
1/29/2024 8:00AM - 1/31/2024 5:00PM
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Aging Services Day - 2024
2/1/2024 8:30AM - 4:00PM
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Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.
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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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