KHCA/KCAL Update 10/17/25

October 17, 2025

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The Latest News

AHCA/NCAL President And CEO Discusses Organization’s Major Areas Of Focus During Interview

Skilled Nursing News (10/15, Siddiqi) reports, "The nursing home sector hopes to move away from outdated, punitive oversight and toward a more constructive, modern regulatory model in 2026 – an approach Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, has been tirelessly working to achieve and refers to as ‘rationalized regulation.’" In an interview, Porter discussed rationalized regulation, compliance changes, Medicare Advantage, "and other major areas of focus for AHCA/NCAL in 2025 and beyond."

Pain, antidepressant drug combo associated with higher risk of seizures among nursing home residents, study finds

Nursing home residents who are prescribed a combination of tramadol, a pain medication, and antidepressants have a higher risk of seizures, according to an October study published in Neurology. READ MORE

Calling All AIT Preceptors – We Need You in Kansas City and Wichita!

Are you a current AIT Preceptor? We’d love to include you on our official list! Please contact Teresa at tkeating@khca.org and provide your Preceptor number.

Right now, we have an urgent need for six Preceptors in the Kansas City area and three in Wichita. Your expertise and leadership are critical to supporting the next generation of long-term care professionals.

Not a Preceptor yet? There’s no better time to get involved! Becoming an AIT Preceptor is a rewarding way to share your knowledge and help shape the future of the field. Our team is happy to guide you through the process. Click here for KDADS information, and don’t hesitate to call Teresa at 785-267-6003 with any questions.

LTC Administrator Training Programs Are Changing To Prepare Aspiring Leaders

Provider Magazine (9/9, Kaldy, 151K) reported that in order "to ensure aspiring leaders are prepared for" the "rewarding but challenging position" of long term care administrator, "administrator training programs are changing with the times." In most states, "administrators-in-training need to complete between 800 hours and 1,000 hours of an on-site internship," which "can be a particular challenge for those who are working while learning, as Deborah Franklin, senior director of quality affairs for the Florida Health Care Association, agreed." Hawley Hunt, senior director of regulatory and quality services at AHCA/NCAL, said about the Nursing Home Administration course, "The program was developed to build on the administrator-in-training program administrators complete prior to becoming an administrator."

Education Spotlight

Registration for DON Boot Camp is open!

November 10 - 12, 2025

Olathe, KS

The KHCA Director of Nursing Boot Camp program is designed to support nursing professionals in Long Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities who are preparing for or serving in leadership roles. Whether you are a newly appointed Director of Nursing, an RN with potential to serve in the DON role, or a current DON that is looking for a refresher. The KHCA DON Boot Camp provides the knowledge, tools, and strategies to succeed. READ MORE