The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has launched a new webpage for members only to provide background information, talking points for visits to the Hill and a direct way to submit comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the skilled nursing facility (SNF) Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule for FY 2012. A button to this webpage can be found on the AHCA homepage under “Quick Links.”

As you know, we are facing a potentially drastic cut to SNFs and will need all the support members are willing to provide to secure stable Medicare funding for facilities. This site will remain exclusive to members and will require a login and password to access the page. Included on the webpage are suggested talking points for members who are considering submitting comments directly to CMS. A high volume of submissions from individual facilities could help influence CMS’ ultimate decision.

If any one of you have a unique story regarding the proposed cuts, AHCA welcomes the opportunity to possibly include your anecdotes in their advocacy efforts. If you are willing to share your story with AHCA, please contact Beth Martino at bmartino@ahca.org, or Rachel Reeves at rreeves@ahca.org, in the public affairs office.

Related to this work, there have been recent efforts to work with members of Congress to advocate for us on these cuts. Members of the Senate have been contacted to send individual letters on this issue to CMS. House members are being asked to sign on to a “Dear Colleague” letter, led by Congressmen Latham (R-IA) and Neal (D-MA). We have posted that letter on our website for you to use in contacting your member of Congress.

The CMS comment period on the proposed rule ends June 27th, so we would like to have as many House members as possible sign onto the letter to CMS by June 17th. If you are unable to contact your member of Congress while they are in Washington D.C., note that they will likely be back in their home district June 6-10, the next constituent work week.

Patti Cullen, CAE
952.851.2487
pcullen@careproviders.org

Resources

Our Sponsors