AHCA/NCAL Reacts to Introduction of Elder Justice Act Reauthorization

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, reacted to the introduction of the Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernizations Act of 2021. 

The following is a statement from Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL:

“We appreciate Congressman Neal, Senator Casey, Senator Wyden, and Congresswoman Bonamici’s work around the reauthorization and modernization of the Elder Justice Act, and that it incorporates proposals from our Care For Our Seniors Act. We are glad to see policymakers provide a desperately needed focus on workforce investment, including assistance for caregivers with everyday life, like loans, tuition, childcare and transportation.  

“Long term care providers are facing serious workforce challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, and our country must make significant investments to help address these shortfalls. This piece of legislation is a great first step to help ensure every facility has the ability to recruit and retain the necessary staff to ensure our residents receive the level of care they need and deserve. Caregivers are the backbone of nursing homes and assisted living communities, and we need to make sure they are being adequately supported so they can provide the highest quality of care to our elderly population. 

“We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers on advancing provisions of our Care for Our Seniors Act and other policies that help our nation’s long term care providers and those that they serve.”