Important message from AHCA/NCAL President & CEO, Clif Porter, on the current situation in Washington
Dear members,
The following message from Clif Porter, President & CEO of our national affiliate, American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is very comprehensive and educational to bring us up to speed on the events unfolding in Washington. As you read Clif’s message, I ask that you keep three very important things in mind:
First , WHCA/WiCAL will join with AHCA/NCAL to aggressively advocate to prevent cuts to the Medicaid program and to enact regulatory reform. It is also important to know that if any Medicaid cuts are made in the future at the national level, they will impact each state differently. Please know that Wisconsin is especially well positioned to effectively weather any future reductions.
Second, our immediate advocacy focus must continue to be on achieving our priorities for the 2025-27 state budget that takes effect on July 1, 2025. These priorities include: Maintaining the $750+ million in increases that we have achieved over the last four years for our nursing homes that participate in Medicaid and for our assisted living centers that participate in Family Care; Increasing the property component of the Medicaid nursing home reimbursement methodology to enable facilities to accomplish long overdue physical plant upgrades; and ensuring that the new Family Care minimum fee schedule is adequately funded.
Finally and of critical importance: Please invite your federal and state representatives to visit your facilities. It is so very important to show our elected representatives the critical work that you and your colleagues do each and every day. Facility visits also provide a critical opportunity to discuss with your representatives your daily challenges. Given the age of so many of our nursing homes, legislative visits will also effectively illustrate the urgent need for additional Medicaid funding to upgrade your building to enhance your residents’ quality of life. We stand ready to assist you in scheduling these visits. For assistance, please contact our Vice President for Government Relations, Eric Koch, ekoch@whcawical.org or our CEO, Rick Abrams, rick@whcawical.org .
Thank you for all of your support. Most importantly, thank you and your colleagues for what you do each and every day for all of those who depend on you for their care. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Rick Abrams
CEO
View AHCA/NCAL’s Article Here.
