KHCA/KCAL Update 12/31/25

December 31, 2025

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The Latest News

We will not publish on Friday, January 2, 2026. We wish our members a safe and happy holiday.

CMS Begins Rollout Of $50B Rural Health Fund

Reuters (12/29, Shalal, Roy) reports the Administration will award each state "between $147 million and $281 million in 2026 under a new rural health transformation program aimed at improving access to care and service quality, a senior White House aide said on Monday." Officials have "said they will allocate half the funding equally among states, with the remaining $25 billion distributed based on factors tied to rural health systems, state policy actions, and initiatives states propose in their applications."

FREE Recurring Monthly Members Only MDS Call

January 14, 2026 @ 10:00 AM

Calendar invite will be sent on January 5, 2026.

We’ve heard from many members about the need for additional support and resources for MDS nurses. In response, KHCA is launching a new monthly Members-Only MDS Call beginning January 14, 2026.

This first call will be guided by two seasoned MDS leaders—Cynthia Pendleton (Americare) and Rachel Dautenhahn (RecoverCare)—who will help facilitate discussion, answer questions, and share best practices.

Because this is a brand-new group, we encourage participants to submit any MDS-related questions in advance. Your input will help shape the conversation and ensure we address the topics most important to you. We’re excited to provide a space for members to connect, collaborate, and strengthen their MDS knowledge.

Submit your MDS question here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SM3JBVN

All submissions will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Don’t Miss the 2026 National Quality Award Application Deadline

Next year marks a special milestone – the 30th anniversary of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program! For three decades, this program has helped long term and post-acute care providers strengthen their systems, improve outcomes, and celebrate excellence in care.

If you are planning to apply for a 2026 National Quality Award, please remember that applications are due by January 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM CT. READ MORE

In Case You Missed It

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

As we roll the calendar once again, New Year Resolutions come to mind. Many folks make them, but few follow them throughout the entire year. It’s good to look at what worked in the past, and what needs to be changed in the future. Once again, for long-term care facilities, staffing is at the top of many lists of concerns for leadership, management, and even direct care partners. Long-term care facilities…all phases of long term care, face significant challenges in retaining staff, with turnover rates exceeding 50% annually due to demanding workloads, burnout, and competitive job markets. High turnover not only disrupts patient care but also increases recruitment costs and strains remaining employees. However, implementing targeted strategies can foster a positive work environment, boost job satisfaction, and improve retention. Drawing from long-term care professional insights let’s outline some proven approaches to keep your team engaged and committed. READ MORE

CMS Announces $50 Billion in Awards to Strengthen Rural Health in All 50 States

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that all 50 states will receive awards under the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative established under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation (Public Law 119-21) to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities across the country. In 2026, states will receive first-year awards from CMS averaging $200 million within a range of $147 million to $281 million. This unprecedented federal investment will help states expand access to care in rural communities, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize rural facilities and technology, and support innovative models that bring high-quality, dependable care closer to home. READ MORE

Kansas Nursing Facilities and Nursing Facilities for Mental Health Rate Setting 102 Training

Please join as KDADS invites nursing facility administrators, corporate finance and reimbursement staff, cost report preparers, and others to attend a Kansas Nursing Facility Rate Setting 102 webinar in January.

The webinar will be presented by the State’s nursing facility rate setting contractor, Myers and Stauffer, and will dig deeper into the Kansas Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement methodology than the annual rate setting 101 presentations. Specific topics that will be discussed include: nurse staffing ratios, staff retention, Medicaid occupancy, quality measures scoring, and changes of ownership and their potential impact on quality incentive components. The webinar will be repeated at two different sessions— see below links for each WebEx event.

Time will be reserved at the end of each webinar session to address questions from participants.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Thursday, January 8, 2026, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

If you have questions about the event, or would like to submit related topic suggestions for the webinar please email: kdads.costreports@ks.gov

Education Spotlight

Enhancing Dementia Care: Communication, Interactions and Behavioral Insights

Two Options to attend in Olathe, KS:

1/28/2026 - 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM

2/5/2026 - 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Join us for an engaging, hands-on learning experience designed to strengthen your skills in supporting individuals living with Dementia. This program will guide participants through key strategies for improving communication, fostering positive interactions, and approaching problem-solving with curiosity and empathy.

Click here for more details on 1/28/26

Click here for more details on 2/5/26

Upcoming Education