As a reminder, the renewal deadline for your KHCA/KCAL membership is March 31st. We strive to give you a highly-valued return on your dues investment, and we look forward to serving you in the year ahead.

AHCA’s Parkinson honors ‘real heroes’ in his own words

McKnight's Long-Term Care News (3/22, Marselas) reports Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, was honored Thursday as the 2024 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards Career Achievement honoree.

In a conversation with AHCA/NCAL Public Affairs Vice President Abigail Barreto in Provider Magazine (3/11, 151K), NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea "reviews the accomplishments of 2023 and forecasts what 2024 will hold for assisted living." Bethea outlined accomplishments in the sector and NCAL, and said, "Assisted living providers have continued to deliver the high-quality care that residents depend on in their communities. ... That commitment shines bright through the results of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program in 2023." Regarding the top issues facing providers this year, Bethea explained, "We continue to face a labor shortage, which...impacts access to care and not quality of care. This is especially true in rural areas, where there are fewer people in general. ... This will only be made worse by the Biden administration’s proposed staffing mandate." And when asked what NCAL will focus on this year, Bethea concluded, "I believe 2024 is going to be an exciting year for assisted living. NCAL will maintain a focus on rebuilding the workforce and how we can best support our members—from working with other health care groups to best practices and idea sharing." Bethea also outlined efforts in quality and population health management. 

Well, by this time, most of you have already heard about the newest QSO letter, QSO-24-08-NH. What had been a “recommendation” from CDC, which CMS decided not to enforce, is now a “requirement” and F880 actually has been amended to include Enhanced Barrier Precautions. In the initial CDC recommendation, they recommended “a new approach to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) called Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) as a strategy in nursing homes to decrease transmission of CDC-targeted and epidemiologically important MDROs when contact precautions do not apply. The approach recommended gown and glove use for certain residents during specific high-contact resident care activities associated with MDRO transmission and did not involve resident room restriction.” READ MORE

Free Webinar on EBP March 28^th at 2:30

On Wednesday, March 20th CMS issued QSO -24-08-NH that added new instances that Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) are applicable. EBP practices have already been required for nursing facilities, but QSO -24-08-NH will incorporate EBP practices into F880 Infection Prevention and Control. Effective April 1, 2024, EBP practices will become part of the survey process for CMS certified adult care homes. 

KACE, LeadingAge Kansas, and Kansas Health Care Association will facilitate a free webinar on Thursday, March 28^th at 2:30 P.M. that will review the principles of Enhanced Barrier Precautions. The training will be conducted by Brenda Davis with Kansas Foundation for Medical Care. The webinar is free to attend, but CEs will not be provided. You can access the webinar using the link below.

A Message from the President & CEO Linda MowBray: Our Kansas Commitment

Week eleven has come to a close and first adjournment (scheduled for April 5, 2024) or “Drop Dead Day” is right around the corner.

The agency budget bills have passed both chambers and are now headed to a conference committee.

As a reminder, the House approved a full rebase and $19.58 per Medicaid day add-on for a total budget of 945.3 million with new money being 52 million all funds of which 20.9 million are State General Funds (SGF). Also included is an increase to the HCBS rate.

The Senate version provides for a total budget of 913.6 million with new money being 20.3 million all funds of which 8.1 million are SGF.

The conference committee will hammer out the differences, but we are in a great position for no less than $10.00 per day for a Medicaid add on.

We met with KDADS Tuesday March 19, 2024, for a preliminary look at the July 1, 2024, nursing home rates. Click here to see the current and two possible future models based on the legislative add on. The individual facility rates will be available April 4, 2024.

Should you have questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me. As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you.

KHCA/KCAL wants to remind members that the renewal deadline for your KHCA/KCAL membership is March 31. From legislative outcomes to quality improvement initiatives, our team is working to help you strengthen your operations with advocacy, expert guidance, survey and regulatory support, education and so much more. We strive to give you a high valued return on your dues investment, and we look forward to your renewal so we can continue serving you in the year ahead. For questions about your membership, please contact kplantz@khca.org or jsumner@khca.org.

Becerra testified Wednesday before the House Ways and Means Committee, which in late February agreed to advance legislation designed to block the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from imposing such a rule. As with that vote, the reception of Becerra and his defense of the proposed standards split along party lines. READ MORE

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued QSO-24-08-NH yesterday regarding the implementation of enhanced barrier precautions (EBPs) in nursing homes to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms. While EBPs were introduced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2019, they were not included in guidance for State Survey Agencies. This memo issues formal guidance under F880 Infection Prevention and Control to SSAs and long term care facilities on the use of EBP, aligning with the existing national standards effective April 1. READ MORE

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (3/22, Marselas) reports American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living President and CEO Mark Parkinson won this year’s Career Achievement Award at the latest McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards on Thursday. McKnight’s says, "After 13 years at the helm of the nation’s largest nursing home advocacy organization, Parkinson in February announced he will retire early next year. Accompanying him at the Pinnacle Awards were fellow 2024 honoree and AHCA/NCAL Senior Vice President of Government Relations Clif Porter and several staff members who made the trip from Washington, DC." 

Register and Get Inspired at the National Quality Summit

Explore innovative strategies and get inspired at the AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit, May 20-22, 2024. Discover the keys to transformative leadership and performance excellence. Register today!

Shape the Future: Register for Congressional Briefing 🏛 🏛

Together We Have the Power to Make a Difference!

This interactive course is focused on the difference & similarities of “leadership” and “management” and how they are both needed in the role of the charge nurse including incorporation of all personality types, strengths and weaknesses. We’ll also spend time talking about topics that affect nurses in leadership roles including survey, 5-Star Ratings, documentation and others. The course will allow for time for learning from each other and networking. 

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Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.

Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org

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