May 28, 2025

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The Latest News

Call to Action: Tell Your Senator to Protect Medicaid and Provider Taxes

Last week, we shared that the House passed its “big, beautiful” reconciliation bill. As a reminder, it includes a 10-year delay of the nursing home staffing mandate and puts a moratorium on current provider tax rates. Now, the bill moves onto the Senate, and we need your help.

NOW is the time to contact your senators, especially if they are Republicans. It is possible that the Senate will create its own version of the legislation, and there are forces in the Senate that still desire to reduce provider tax limits. Staff have already started moving forward on drafting their version of a reconciliation bill over the long holiday weekend.

Act Now: Contact Your Senators

If your senator is a Republican, we need you to contact them ASAP – it's simple. Visit the AHCA/NCAL Advocacy Action Center to see step-by-step instructions on how to:

Send an email: Contact your U.S. Senators urging them to oppose any reduction in the provider tax. These messages will be directed to their Washington, D.C. offices.
Make a call: Reach out to your Senators and share your concerns about the potential impact of provider tax reductions.

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR

Contact the AHCA/NCAL Government Relations team with any questions or issues in utilizing the Action Center. Every call and email make a difference. We will be in touch with important updates as they are available.

We also look forward to seeing many of you in Washington, D.C. soon for Congressional Briefing where we can continue these important advocacy efforts. Thank you for standing with us to protect Medicaid and our vulnerable residents who depend on it.

As Reported on by:

McKnight's LTC News: Providers girding to fight for better Senate budget bill after ‘cold-hearted’ House version passes

McKnight's Senior Living: Providers, Advocates Urge Senate To Reject $700M In Proposed Medicaid Cuts

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

Taking a break from the documentation series, this update will include very important information about last week’s AHCA State Affiliate Meeting. READ MORE

Receive $1,000 to attain Age-Friendly Health Systems Recognition

Kansas 4M Geriatrics Workforce Education Program is offering $1,000 for up to 30 sites to participate in an Age-Friendly Action Community and achieve Level 1 and Level 2

Age-Friendly Health Systems Recognition. READ MORE

KHCA/KCAL District 1 Round Table

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 10:30AM - 12:30PM in Shawnee, KS

KHCA/KCAL Board Members would like to invite you to the KHCA/KCAL District 1 Round Table hosted by Suzie Sexton, Brett Pu, Jeremy Whitt, Miles Nease, Fred Pitzel and KHCA/KCAL President and CEO Linda MowBray. (See image for counties included in this district.) We will discuss hot topics in your area and answer any questions that you might have. Come join us for some heavy appetizers and refreshments. Also, if you attend you can sign up to win one of the $50 gift cards or a $100 gift card.

Location:

Johnson County Library – Monticello

22435 W. 66^th St.

Shawnee, KS 66226

You do not have to be a KHCA/KCAL Member to attend and there is no cost.

RSVP:

If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP to the KHCA/KCAL office by emailing Teresa Keating (tkeating@khca.org). Please indicate your name, community and a phone number.

In Case You Missed It

Registration Now Open for Delivering Solutions 25

Join us in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 19–22, 2025, for the premier annual event that brings together long term care, post-acute, and assisted living professionals from across the country. Register by June 17 to take advantage of Early Bird savings and secure your spot at this must-attend event. READ MORE

Free Webinar for AHCA Members on Common Texture Modified Food Mistakes

AHCA has observed that some state nursing facility surveyors are focusing more on modified texture diets. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) provides guidelines for texture modified diets, and several nursing facilities are utilizing these standards.

Utilizing IDDSI’s Tools to Avoid Texture Modified Food Mistakes and Citations

Some skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have implemented a specific diet standard, titled the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI). The IDDSI Framework Documents provide guidelines to produce safer food and drinks for residents who benefit from a texture modified diet. Implementation of IDDSI requires coordinated teamwork to align efforts with facility goals, including improving safety.

AHCA/NCAL and Incite Strategic Partners are hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, June 17 at 1 p.m. CDT titled Utilizing IDDSI’s Tools to Avoid Texture Modified Food Mistakes and Citations.

This free webinar covers how to approach your IDDSI plan through:

Understanding why incorporating this change is important.
How preparing foods that meet IDDSI definitions can best accommodate your residents’ needs.
Why and how QAPI provides the structure for full implementation.

The free webinar is approved for 1 CE credit by CBDM for Certified Dietary Managers. Register for this webinar here. Register now even if you can’t attend on June 17. All registrants will be notified when the recorded webinar is available.

Education Spotlight

Nurse Leadership Conference

June 25-26, 2025

Salina, KS

Members $219 | Non Members $269 until June 11th

This special Nurse Leadership Conference is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership and clinical skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing. A fun networking event is in place Downtown Salina. This will be a separate ticket event, so don’t forget to sign up. Let’s enjoy some time relaxing and learning from each other.

Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Education