Washington, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released the following statement on the U.S. Senate confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The following is attributable to Clif Porter, AHCA/NCAL President & CEO:
“We congratulate Secretary Kennedy on his confirmation, and we are excited to begin working together to support the Administration’s mission to make America healthy again. As the largest association representing nursing homes and assisted living communities, we uniquely understand the rippling effect of poor health. Our residents and patients are coming to our long term care facilities later in life with more chronic diseases, requiring higher intensities of care and support. Improving health outcomes earlier in life not only helps increase seniors’ quality of life, but it also reduces the burden on caregivers, the health care system, and taxpayers.
“Additionally, we want to thank Secretary Kennedy for his commitment to protecting Medicare and Medicaid—programs that the majority of our residents rely on to cover their daily care. Proper federal resources and policies can help us strengthen the care being delivered and support those who deliver it.
“We look forward to working with HHS on meaningful ways to foster quality improvement and protect access to long term care for our rapidly growing elderly population. Together, we can advance solutions that support the high-quality care our nation’s seniors and individuals with disabilities deserve.”