KHCA/KCAL Update 10/22/25

October 22, 2025

This message contains confidential information and is intended only for KHCA/KCAL membership. Dissemination, distribution or copying the contents of this email beyond this group is strictly prohibited.

The Latest News

Important Government Shutdown Updates: CMS Issues Updated Memo to Outline Contingency Plans During Government Shutdown

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Tuesday issued an updated QSO memo detailing its contingency plans for operations during the continued federal government shutdown. The memo established that the activities, which are not allowed throughout the shutdown, are not legally authorized to be performed.

Additional updates to the previously released memo include the following issues:

Revisits to prevent DPNA
Pending CMS-2567.
Standard Surveys
Certain Revisit Surveys
Initial Surveys

Click here to read more.

Record-Breaking NCAL Day Gives Assisted Living Professionals Firsthand Look At Living With Dementia

Provider Magazine (10/20, Barreto, 151K) reports this year’s NCAL Day "attendees – a record of more than 300 assisted living professionals – lined up for the unique opportunity to learn more about what it is like to live with" dementia. NCAL Day "featured the Dementia Empathy Experience Program, an interactive and immersive session that puts participants in the shoes of someone living with dementia." NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea, NCAL Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs Jill Schewe, NCAL Director of Quality Improvement Pam Truscott, "and NCAL Immediate Past Board Chair Gerald Hamilton discussed how the assisted living customer base is changing and how providers can change with it, identified opportunities to strengthen relationships and the impact on improving care, and highlighted how the demands of the profession have changed."

AHCA/NCAL President Calls For Provider Unity To Strengthen Profession

McKnight’s Senior Living (10/21, Bowers) reports, "Long-term care providers must remain united to shape the future of the profession, American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living President and CEO Clif Porter said Monday during the opening general session of AHCA/NCAL’s Delivering Solutions 25 Convention & Expo." Porter said, "When we are united, we can influence policy, change minds and get results for our residents and staff unlike any time in our history." NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea "noted that NCAL has been focused on building strong relationships with elected officials at the federal level over the past year." Meanwhile, "Phil Scalo and Mark Maxfield, marking the end of their terms leading the AHCA and NCAL boards, respectively, also spoke at the opening general session."

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.

AHCA/NCAL President Touts Freeze On Provider Taxes, Warns Of Long-Term Challenges For SNFs

Skilled Nursing News (10/17, Siddiqi) reported AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Clif Porter "said that among the year’s major wins for the sector – such as the freeze on provider taxes – were hard-won battles." In an interview with Skilled Nursing News ahead of the group’s annual convention, Porter said, "We actually were the only sector in all of health care that was insulated from that policy by having provider taxes frozen," giving credit to "AHCA/NCAL’s work behind the scenes in convincing lawmakers that Medicaid already underfunds nursing home care and further cuts would harm patients." Still, "Porter warned of long-term challenges for skilled nursing facilities, particularly at the state level."

A Message from the Office of the State Fire Marshal: Issues with Recalled Fire Sprinkler Heads

As many of you are aware, on the night of July 13, 2025, a devastating fire occurred at the Gabriel House Assisted and Independent Living Facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, resulting in 10 fatalities and more than 30 injuries, including six firefighters who were injured while rescuing invalid residents from the building.

Although the final investigative report from the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal has not yet been released, preliminary findings indicate that several sprinkler heads found in the facility had been subject to a nationwide recall issued in 2001 and were never replaced. The recall, which affected approximately 35 million sprinkler heads, was issued due to a defective gasket that could prevent activation during a fire. READ MORE

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

As the Federal shutdown continues with media reporting “no end in sight”, standard surveys are on hold. This situation makes it even more important for facilities to continuously monitor the care & services themselves. And that can and should be occurring through the facility’s Corporate Compliance Plan and measures.

Corporate compliance refers to the systems and processes that ensure a nursing home adheres to federal, state, and local regulations, ethical standards, and internal policies. It encompasses everything from billing practices and resident rights to staff training to quality care monitoring and monitoring for data privacy. READ MORE

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