AHCA/NCAL Issues Statement Following Release of Independent Commission Report

​Washington, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released the following statement following the release the final report by the independent Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes (Commission) on the safety and quality in nursing homes in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, will attend a discussion on the findings of the report tomorrow at the White House with Vice President Mike Pence, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield, some members of the Commission and other public health and senior care experts.

The following statement is attributable to Mark Parkinson:

“We are pleased to see the Commission acknowledge what we have been saying from the beginning - there must be shared responsibility with public health officials prioritizing our residents in long term care and helping facilities acquire necessary resources to combat this global pandemic. The Commission’s review and findings lay out some of the important work that is needed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in nursing homes and further improve the quality of care we deliver.

“As we prepare for a potential rise in cases this fall, we must arm nursing homes and other long term care facilities with a steady stream of resources to ensure they have adequate tests, personal protective equipment and staff support.

“We appreciate the members of the Commission who contributed to this important discussion and look forward to working with the Administration to bring aspects of this report to fruition and keep our residents and staff safe.”