Prevent Cuts in Senior Housing, Medicare, Medicaid, Older Americans Act
The fiscal year 2008 (FY 2008) budget proposal that President Bush submitted to Congress today calls for substantial cuts in programs that serve older Americans. The proposed budget would freeze Medicare reimbursement for home health care and cut the inflation update that other health care providers, including nursing homes, would otherwise receive. Funding for Section 202 senior housing would be reduced from $726 million in 2006 to $575 million in 2008. The budget would also cut Older Americans Act nutrition programs and eliminate preventive health services and Alzheimer’s disease demonstration grants. The President’s budget proposal is only the first step in the FY 08 budget process. Now, it is up to Congress to decide whether to approve these recommendations. We must persuade legislators to reject the proposed cuts, in view of the impact they would have on your residents, clients and staff. Contact: Marsha Greenfield, (202) 508-9488 on Medicare and Medicaid, Alayna Waldrum, (202) 508-9476 on housing, and Peter Notarstefano, (202) 508-9406 on Older Americans Act programs.
Write to Congress Urging No Cuts in Programs that Help the Elderly.

AAHSA Conference Discount Extended for Six More Days: Register Now!
What's the best way to make a difference with your policy makers? Find out from Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, at our Future of Aging Services Conference, March 19-21 in Washington, DC. There, he'll share his "Inside the Beltway" insights with you as well as the tips you'll need to tell your story on Capitol Hill, in your districts and with your elected officials. But that's not all. You'll also have to the chance to choose from more than 25 education sessions and a series of technology workshops designed to help you make the most of your work for older adults. There are only a few days left to get a discounted registration rate. Don't miss out. Sign up and save today. Contact: AAHSA Registration, (514) 228-3159.
Register now.
Read more about Chris Matthews.

Storytelling Gets You a Chance For a Free AAHSA Conference
Do you have a story to share about your work for older adults? We want to make sure your policy makers, the media and your peers hear it. Contribute to AAHSA's story bank to help us tell your story. Send in your stories before Feb. 15 and you'll be entered in a raffle to win an all-expenses paid trip to AAHSA's Future of Aging Services Conference. The prize includes full conference registration, up to $500 in airfare and three nights of hotel. Send in your story online or by fax to (202) 783-2255. Contact: Lauren Shaham, (202) 508-1219.
Send in your stories.
See how other AAHSA members tell their stories.

Nursing Home Survey and Certification Task Force Begins Work
At the initial meeting of AAHSA's Survey and Certification Task Force, members from 18 states and three state executives explored current issues and potential solutions around the operation of the survey, certification and enforcement system. The task force reached consensus that the problems with the present system stem not from the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987, but from the way the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented it. The group agreed that the system must be transformed to encourage resident-centered care; that we must involve a variety of stakeholders, including consumers, in the transformation of the system; that there must be a better working relationship between providers and regulators, with joint training and more education for survey staff; that poor performers must not be protected; and that meaningful quality improvement through initiatives like Quality First is essential. The task force will get together again on March 21-22 to continue developing strategies for legislative and administrative advocacy to transform the present regulatory system. Contact: Evvie Munley, (202) 508-4978.

Audio Conference Offers Free Ways to Improve Your Workforce Recruitment and Retention
Do your organization's workforce challenges keep you up at night? You aren't alone. A recent AAHSA survey found it's the number one issue affecting providers like you nationwide. That's why we're hosting an audio conference on Feb. 21, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Eastern Time designed to give you great tips and suggestions for improving your organization's retention rate and staff morale. You'll learn the critical components of staff motivation and recognition, discover best practices with new employee orientation and integration and understand the relationship between creative and recognition programs and recruitment rates. Registration ends on Feb. 16, so save yourself a spot today. Contact: meeting@aahsa.org, (888) 508-9441
Register online.
Download a form to register by fax or mail.
Missed a past AAHSA audio conference? See a list of available recordings and an order form.

Latest Housing News Now Available
In our newest housing report, you'll find an update on PRAC/HAP and Fiscal Year 2007 funding, an analysis of how proposed changes to the Section 8 Renewal Guide would impact your work, a copy of HUD's final Limited English Proficiency (LEP) guidance and other HUD management news and an announcement about Congressman Barney Frank's speech at our upcoming Future of Aging Services conference. Contact: Alayna Waldrum, (202) 508-9476.
Read the report.

3,200 Covenant signers! Have you signed yet?

"Quality First" Commission Focuses on Tackling Long-term Care Workforce Crisis
The National Commission for Quality Long-term Care started the year with a hearing and a groundbreaking report on the long-term care workforce crisis. Robyn I. Stone, Dr. P.H., executive director of our Institute for the Future of Aging Services, presented the report, entitled, "The Long-term Care Workforce: Can the Crisis be Fixed?" AAHSA President & CEO Larry Minnix also testified at the hearing. Both noted that creative approaches to recruitment and retention must be developed and fostered, and existing barriers to effective staffing and innovative solutions must be removed to handle this crisis. The commission will issue recommendations on the issue next month, followed by recommendations on quality, technology and financing later this year. The commission, an independent body established as part of Quality First, also announced the appointment of 10 new commissioners. Contact: Doug Pace, (202) 508-9454.
See the Commission's reports.
Learn more about the commissioners.

CMS Proposes Positive Update to Long-term Care Hospitals in 2008
On Jan. 26, CMS issued a proposed rule updating the long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) federal rate by 0.71 percent for rate year 2008. The proposed update is higher than the zero percent update the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommended earlier this year. The proposed rule also limits aggregate outlier payments to 8 percent of total estimated payments under the LTCH PPS, which means that the outlier fixed-loss amount will increase by 24 percent during the 2008 rate year (from $14,887 to $18,477). CMS is also proposing to extend the "25 percent rule" threshold to include all LTCH discharged patients admitted from hospitals, regardless of whether that hospital was located in the general vicinity of the LTCH. Contact: Iara Woody, (202) 508-9429.
Read the proposed rule.

2008 Funding Needed for Lifespan Respite Services
Now that we have achieved enactment of the Lifespan Respite Care Act, we need to make sure that the legislation is funded to help you provide respite services for family caregivers as well as recruit and train respite workers and volunteers to do this important work. Please urge your senators to sign a letter Senators John Warner (R-Va.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) are sending to the Senate Budget Committee that requests $30 million for these services in 2008. Contact: Peter Notarstefano, (202) 508-9406.

CMS Recruiting for Post-Acute Care Assessment Tool Demonstration
CMS is developing a research and demonstration project on a potential alternative payment system for Medicare post-acute care (PAC). As part of the project, CMS is designing a standardized PAC assessment tool to be tested during the three-year demonstration. This spring, CMS will recruit providers to participate in the assessment tool demonstration. The demonstration will begin in January 2008. The assessment tool will help determine a person's best PAC setting, monitor his or her functional status and track his or her health outcomes and care costs. The Internet-based assessment tool will be filled out prior to discharge from an acute care hospital and then be completed at intervals as people rehabilitate in post-acute settings. Once the demonstration is underway in April 2008, providers outside the demonstration may also use the tool. Contact Karyn Downie, (202) 508-9410.
Learn more about the demonstration.

2006-2007 AAHSA Assisted Living Salary & Benefits Reports Now Available
How does your assisted living facility compare with others across the country? Read the latest version of this annual report to find out. The report features salary and benefits information about 40 different positions in assisted living organizations and is categorized by for-profit and not-for-profit status, unit and revenue size and geographic region or state. Contact: (201) 405-0075
Order the report.

AAHSA-Member Discount for AHLA's Long-Term Care and the Law Program
The American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) is hosting Long-Term Care and the Law, Feb. 21-23, at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, in Orlando, Fla. This program will feature workshops where providers can connect with their peers and legal and operational experts about issues including risk management, ancillary services and impact of the False Claims Act on quality care. In addition, all AAHSA members will receive a discounted registration rate. Sign up now to make the most of this educational opportunity. Contact: reservations@atcmeetings.com.
View program information.
Register for the program.

Featured Group Purchasing Partner:

Program Helps You Improve Employee Retention and Morale For Free
Our partner, Worksite Combined Solutions, created the AAHSA's Benefit Communication Program to help you educate employees about the full value of their compensation while expanding the benefits you offer them at no additional cost. With their help, you can show staff their "hidden paychecks" today and tackle your workforce challenges at the same time. Contact: Steve Poldervart, (866) 857-2318 Ext. 586.
Learn more about the program.

Opportunities Available on AAHSA's Job Mart

Several career opportunities in aging services are now available and listed on Job Mart. Take a look. Pass along the news. If you have a job to post, consider using AAHSA Job Mart. Contact: Phillip Blackmon, (202) 508-9404.
Post a job.

Jobs posted in the past week (Jan. 26 - Feb. 1):

Administrator
Assisted Living Administrator - Oshkosh, Wis.
Health Services Administrator - Southern Pines, N.C.
Executive Director - Mississippi
Administrator - Portland, Ore.
Administrator - Northbrook, Ill.

CEO/President/Executive Director
Foundation Director - Tucson, Ariz.
CEO - Bridgewater, N.J.

Marketing/Sales/Business Office
Director of Marketing - Greenville, Ohio
Marketing Volunteer Coordinator - Oshkosh, Wis.
Sales Counselor - Hartford, Conn.
Client Manager - South N.J./Philadelphia Metro
Sales Professionals - Various U.S. locations

Nursing/Health Care
Director of Nursing - Dover, Del.
Director of Nursing - Newtown, Conn.

Other
Director of Dining Services - Tulsa, Okla.
Assisted Living Manager - Schaumburg, Ill.
Regional Health Services Administrator - Irving, Texas