WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released the following statement regarding the results of the 2020 election.
The statement is attributable to Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL:
“We congratulate President-elect Biden and all those elected to Congress. We look forward to working with the new Administration and discussing the challenges long term care facilities have faced in recent years, but most especially during the pandemic. We will call on the Biden Administration and Congress to help us address the immediate crisis at-hand and ensure that facilities have the resources they need to protect our nation’s most vulnerable. We must also reflect upon the lessons to be learned and welcome a national discussion on how to improve the country’s long term care system for a growing elderly population.
“However, with record breaking COVID cases across the country just this past week, our nation’s seniors and their caregivers cannot wait until January to bring about the assistance facilities need right now. We urge lawmakers to take action immediately, during the Lame Duck Session, and pass a COVID relief package that includes additional funding for our health care providers, including those in long term care. Our health care heroes need help acquiring substantial personal protective equipment, testing and staff support to keep the virus at bay and protect our nation’s Greatest Generation.”
ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit
www.ahcancal.org or
www.ncal.org.