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February 25, 2010 |
Vol 17, Issue 12 |
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Welcome to this week's edition of the FAHSA
Link.
Harry
Hobson, Janegale Boyd, Rep. Diaz-Balart, Dan Brady,
Diane Marcello and Mark Crews
FAHSA Members Urge Congress to
Take Action --
The following FAHSA members participated in Capitol
Hill visits (listed in groups) while attending
AAHSA's Future of Aging Services Conference this
week in Washington, D.C.
Group I members Luanne Reese, Director of Business
Development, Mease Manor; Ray Johnson, Life Care
Pastoral Services, Inc.; Kristi Quick, Vicar's
Landing; Fred Isaac, Glenmoor Board Member; Ted
Kilpatrick, Glenmoor Board Member; Randy Holmes,
Administrator, Miami Jewish Health Systems; and Mike
Bell, Suncoast Hospice; Group II members Daniel
Brady, Director, Miami Jewish Health Systems; Harry
Hobson, CEO, Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay; Diane
Marcello, Administrator, Sunnyside Nursing Home;
Mark Crews, Administrator, North Florida Retirement
Village; and Janegale Boyd, President/CEO, FAHSA;
and Group III members Steve Protulis, CEO, Elderly
Housing Development Operations Corporation (EHDOC);
and Gail Matillo, Director of Housing and Education,
FAHSA;.discussed and provided factual information to
support and urge Congress to take the following
action in 2010:
Financing Aging
Services
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Extend
increased federal Medicaid funding (FMAP)
through June, 2011, as provided by S. 3000.
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Preserve the 2011 Medicare
payment update for nursing homes and home health
care providers, as under current law.
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Extend the Medicare
therapy caps exceptions process; so that
Medicare beneficiaries will have coverage for
the full amount of therapy they need following a
stroke, bone fracture, or other serious illness
or injury.
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Enact the Community Living
Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act. We
need a more sustainable and fiscally responsible
way of financing long-term services and supports
and reducing dependence on the already
overburdened Medicaid program.
Several of these initiatives are contained in
health care reform legislation passed by the House
and Senate. The frail elders we serve need these
policy changes, whether they are made under
comprehensive health care legislation or by other
measures.
Affordable Senior
Housing
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Support
the Section 202 senior housing program as a
platform for supportive services that will
enable residents to remain longer in their
communities. (See related housing article below)
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Maintain and increase
funding for Section 202 senior housing,
including capital advances, to $2 billion.
Construction of affordable housing for seniors
will put thousands of unemployed Americans back
to work.
Home and
Community-Based Services
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Pass the Community First Choice, Independence at
Home, and other initiatives to expand coverage
of home and community-based services.
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Increase funding for Older Americans Act
programs that finance home and community-based
services. OAA nutrition programs need resources
to at least keep pace with inflation.
Nursing Home
Oversight
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Direct the Institute of Medicine to study and
evaluate the nursing home survey and
certification process and its effectiveness in
ensuring quality of care.
FAHSA members received warm,
welcoming support for their advocacy concerns by:
Rep. F. Allen Boyd, Jr. and Aide, Clint Cates
Rep. Gus Bilirakis' Legislative Assistant, Jerry
White
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's Legislative Director,
Justin Grabelle
Rep. Kathy Castor's Legislative Director, Courtney
Christian
Rep. Ander Crenshaw's Aide, Michael Kirlin
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and Nilda Pedrosa, Chief of
Staff
Rep. Ron Klein's Legislative Assistant, David
Hollingsworth
Rep. Suzanne Kosmas and Paolo Mastrangelo,
Legislative Assistant
Rep. Connie Mack's Legislative Assistant, Sarah Krug
Rep. Kendrick Meek's Legislative Assistant, Peter
Gwynn-Sackson
Rep. John Mica
Rep. Adam Putnam's Senior Legislative Assistant,
Brooke McKnight
Rep. Bill Young's Legislative Director, Brad Stein
Sen. Bill Nelson's Legislative Assistants, Madeline
Otto and Stephanie Mickle
Sen. George LeMieux's Legislative Assistant, Taylor
Booth
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Assisted Living Facility News |
Members Looking for Creative ALF Designs and Models
of Care -- Please
e-mail Mary Ellen Early, Sr. VP, FAHSA at meearly@earthlink.net
if your organization has done anything unique
architecturally or programmatically to promote
person-centered care in your ALF. A FAHSA member is
looking for ideas to consider when remodeling and
revamping programs.
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CCRC / Retirement Community News |
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CCRC Bill Filed in the
House -- The House companion bill to SB 2030 by
Senator Mike Fasano was filed in the House by Rep. Bill
Proctor this week (HB 1253). This is the continuing
care bill drafted by the FLiCRA/FAHSA Chapter 651 Task
Force with input from member CCRCs and resident leaders. |
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Education News
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Prepare to Attend the
Annual Legislative Workshop on March 23-24 --
To offset the cost of a flight to Tallahassee,
FAHSA has lowered the registration fee to attend
the Legislative Workshop this year. In
addition, we have added a substantial discounted
rate for the second and subsequent participants
from your community to attend the workshop in
Tallahassee and learn about the legislative
process, visit legislators, and meet other FAHSA
members. Online registration will be available
tomorrow and watch your mail for workshop
brochures!
Register Now for
FAHSA's Next Leadership Academy Course --
Students are now needed for the next
FAHSA/University of Florida Leadership Academy
Course slated to begin on March 25-26, 2010 in
Tallahassee. Participants may be interested in
applying for a scholarship to offset some of the
costs. Please consider sending as many staff as
you can.
Register Now!
Join Us for Upcoming Training
Opportunities - Plan to join us for the
following educational opportunities:
- February 25,
2010 -- CNA Train the Trainer,
Orlando
- March 16,
2010 - Medicaid Integrity and RAC
Webinar
- March 23 &
24, 2010 - Legislative Workshop,
Tallahassee
- March 25 &
26, 2010 - Leadership Academy,
Tallahassee
- March 30,
2010 - RUGS4 Webinar
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General News |
FAHSA's new Legislative Intern Attends
Meeting at TaxWatch -- Ashley Grable, a
sophomore at Florida State University, majoring
in Business, will be assisting the Public Policy
staff for the coming legislative session.
Please join the staff in welcoming Ashley to
FAHSA.
On February 15, Ashley Grable and Mary Ellen
Early, Sr. Vice President of Public Policy,
attended the seminar, "Five
Good Things About Florida's Economy,"
sponsored by the National Federation of
Independent Business and Florida TaxWatch.
Speakers included Amy Baker, Coordinator of the
Florida Legislature's Office of Economic and
Demographic Research; Dr. Stefan Norrbin,
Director of the Applied Masters Program of
Economics and Professor of Economics at Florida
State University; Denny Dennis, the Senior
Research Fellow at NFIB; and Ed Goeas, President
and CEO of The Tarrance Group. Amy Baker
reported that Florida's economy will slowly
return to normal by the year 2015. The very
worst is past, but it's going to be a long
struggle. In addition, according the Dr.
Norrbin, the United States is recovering faster
than expected and unemployment is falling
quickly. The overall message was that Florida's
Legislature needs to remain open-minded toward
innovative ways for improving the economy.
Remote
Patient Monitoring Diffusion Grants Program:
Letters of Intent Due March 12, 2010 -
The Center for Technology and Aging is
soliciting letters of intent from organizations
that are interested in expanding the use of
remote patient monitoring technologies that help
improve the health and safety of older adults.
Total funding available for this grant program
is $500,000. Up to six grants will be awarded.
Funded projects are expected to commence in July
2010. For more information about these
grants and participation in an Applicant
Conference Call, click
here for this week's General Alert.
FAHSA General Membership Alert Page |
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Housing News |
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Gail
Matillo, FAHSA; HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan; and Steve
Protulis, EHDOC.
FAHSA Attends Appropriations Budget Hearing on
Elimination of Section 202 New Development -- On
Tuesday, Nancy Libson, AAHSA Housing Director; Steve
Protulis, CEO, EHDOC and Gail Matillo, FAHSA Director of
Housing and Education, attended the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development and Related Agencies Hearing in Washington,
D.C. For more than two hours, HUD Secretary Shaun
Donovan answered questions from members of Congress
regarding the department's budget recommendations for
the FY 2011 budget, which includes zeroing-out funding
for new development in the Section 202 Capital Advance
program.
Secretary Donovan stated that this is a changing
environment, different from that faced by the nation and
the department just one year ago. HUD's fiscal year
2010 budget reflected a singular economic focus, funded
at levels sufficient to address the housing and
community development needs of the economic crisis. It
also stabilized HUD's programs across the board.
HUD's 2011 budget is a bold one that includes
fundamental changes in current programs. With the
infusion of ARRA and the 2010 budget stabilizing HUD's
programs, the department believes that time has come to
begin transforming and modernizing - to make HUD's
housing and community development programs, and the
administrative infrastructure that oversees them more
streamlined, efficient and accountable.
A sample letter to Congress, written by Consultant John
Hazelroth, and a copy of Secretary Donovan's written
testimony entitled, "FY2011 Budget Request for HUD" can
be downloaded by
clicking here.
Watch your e-mail for more information on the new
administration's plans for the FY 2011 HUD budget and
the advocacy campaign to members of Congress.
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Legislative News |
House Budget Likely to Include $1
Billion in Reserves - House Speaker
Larry Cretul announced that he plans to set
aside $1 billion in reserves in the House
proposed budget for fiscal year 20100in In
contrast, Gov. Charlie Crist's budget for the
coming year calls for $250 million for reserves.
The $1 billion set aside last year is down to
$200 million because of higher than anticipated
increases in spending for Medicaid and other
critical programs.
FAHSA is Gearing Up for 2010 Legislative
Session - Tallahassee was quiet this
week - perhaps the lull before the storm. This
is the last week before the 2010 Legislative
Session opens on Tuesday, March 2. Many of the
legislators remained in their home districts
preparing for the next nine weeks.
It is by no means expected to be an easy
session. Setting the stage to create a
difficult political climate, Gov. Charlie Crist
proposed a relatively rosy recommendation for a
$69.2 billion budget, including a $2.7 billion
or four percent increase. This has drawn
negative reviews in a Legislature controlled by
his fellow Republicans.
Earlier this week, a special House panel
investigating whether former House Speaker Ray
Sansom (R-Destin) violated House Rules, ended
its probe. The panel concluded that there was no
reason for the House Select Committee on
Standards of Official Conduct to take further
action after Sansom abruptly resigned from the
Legislature.
The first piece of legislation expected to be
voted on is a measure that would put the brakes
on the increase in the state's unemployment
compensation tax for the next two years. Last
week, the House and Senate committees approved
similar versions of the tax measure.
FAHSA staff has been busy
preparing and meeting on issues for the upcoming
session. We hope that you will plan to join us for
our weekly conference calls each Friday at 10:00
a.m. during the legislative session. This will be an
excellent way to keep abreast of the legislative and
funding proposals that affect FAHSA members.
Senate Bill Would
Eliminate Tax-Exempt Bonds -- A bill has
been filed in the U.S. Congress that would eliminate
tax-exempt bonds. Obviously, this would have a
tremendous effect on FAHSA members and perhaps your
business. If you are part of a national
association, please urge your colleagues to get
involved and oppose the bill. We would appreciate
any copies of information related to this issue.
Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore.,
and Judd Gregg, R-N.H., introduced the legislation
in Congress that would eliminate tax-exempt bonds
starting next year, shift the tax exemption for
municipal bonds to a tax credit, and ban advance
refunding of bonds. This proposed change would have
an adverse effect on many FAHSA members that depend
on tax-exempt financing.
Please call or write your
congressman to express your opinion about this bill.
We will be working with AAHSA to let others know
about this important development and to develop a
grass roots advocacy strategy.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Senate Jobs Bill
Helps Non-Profits -- Legislation approved on
Wednesday by the U.S. Senate to help spur job
growth, allows non-profits to access the same
federal tax incentives being created to help small
businesses hire new employees. The bill includes
provisions to grant a payroll tax holiday for all
employers, including non-profit entities, that hire
certain individuals in 2010, as well as offering an
additional tax benefit for firms that retain such
individuals for at least one year of employment.
On Wednesday, the Senate
approved the jobs bill by a bipartisan vote of
70-28. The U.S. House of Representatives approved
its own version of a jobs creation bill in December.
Source: The Jewish Federations of North America
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Nursing Home News |
Member
Seeks Culture Change Ideas for Dining --
Culture change related to dining and food
service can be especially challenging. But,
there isn't a better place to start the
journey. Some of life's most enjoyable
experiences are around the dining room table or
in the kitchen with friends and family. If your
organization is doing something special in your
nursing home, please email Mary Ellen Early at
meearly@earthlink.net
Volunteers May Help with Feeding in
Nursing Homes -- If your facility wants
to use volunteers for this purpose, they must
participate in an orientation and training
program. Also, the facility needs to be aware
of the language in s. 400.1413 (1), F.S., which
speaks to the licensee's responsibility to be
aware of and to coordinate volunteer
activities. To read the section, please go to
this week's Nursing Home Alert.
Culture Change Symposium on Dining
Postponed -- Check out Plan B -- The
national Pioneer Network and the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services recently had to
cancel a symposium called, "Creating Home: A
National Symposium on Culture Change and the
Food and Dining Requirements." They now have a
Plan B. Click
here for more information about Plan
B and to download the symposium background
paper. If you are interested in improving the
dining experience for your residents, this would
be the perfect symposium for you.
Other Nursing Home
News:
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Preferred Business Associates News |
Financing Senior Living in 2010: The Art of the
Senior Living Financing Deal -- Despite
poor market conditions in 2009, there remains a
demand and need for senior living facilities
nationwide. Properties continue to seek financing
for expansions, rehabilitation, acquisition and even
new construction. The projects being financed speak
to the importance of strong underwriting in a tough
market. In the second half of 2009 and in early
2010, Lancaster Pollard financed senior living
facilities with bank-qualified private placements,
Fannie Mae, HUD/FHA Section 232/223(f) and
traditional letter of credit enhancements, among
other financing options.
Financing is rarely simple and straightforward -
even in the best of times. Lancaster Pollard
prefers a multi-track financing approach in which
various scenarios are analyzed in an effort to
provide the most appropriate financing options with
the lowest possible cost for each project.
Flexibility in financing and using new options were
an important part of getting deals done in 2009 and
will continue to be the case in 2010.
Simultaneous Refinances through HUD
-- Consider, for example, WILMAC Corp., a
Pennsylvania-based company that manages skilled
nursing, independent living and assisted living
communities. The company sought to refinance three
properties' debt and finance a renovation.
Lancaster Pollard worked with WILMAC to refinance
all three properties under HUD/FHA Section
232/223(f) mortgage insurance, but as three separate
loan applications. In its loan applications,
Lancaster Pollard emphasized the strength of
WILMAC's cash flow and its successful history in the
senior living industry, but it also proposed that
HUD consider accounts receivable financing, an
immediate cash infusion sometimes called
"factoring." Factoring is the purchase of debts
owed, or accounts receivable, in exchange for
immediate payment. HUD recently formalized its
approval process for factoring. WILMAC received
$34.5 million in fixed-rate notes over 25 years via
the HUD/FHA Section 232/223(f) program. The loans
were the first group closed simultaneously under
HUD's LEAN process.
Courtesy of Lancaster Pollard
 FAHSA's
Preferred Business Associates Program (PBAs)
-- A list of PBAs can be found by on the
FAHSA Web site
www.fahsa.org and
selecting Preferred Business Associates from the
left side menu bar or clicking on the FAHSA
Preferred Business Associates Page hyperlink. FAHSA
members can also use the on-line directory to search
for PBAs by specialty.
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Career Center |
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Welcome to the Florida Association of Homes
and Services for the Aging Career Center!
Your destination for exciting Aging Services job
opportunities and the best resource for qualified
candidates in the Florida Aging Services Industry.
Searching for a job in Aging Services?
Looking to fill a position? This job board is custom
tailored for the Aging Services industry, which
means we attract the most qualified professionals in
Florida.
Create an Employer Account,
search resumes and post your Aging Services job now!
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Copyright 2010 -- Publication of the Florida
Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
(FAHSA).
- FAHSA Chair: Terri Cunliffe
- FAHSA President/CEO: Janegale Boyd
- Managing Editor: Gail Matillo, MPA, COS
Copyright Information: Copies of the articles and
other information in this publication may be
noncommercially reproduced for the purpose of
educational or scientific advancement. Otherwise, no
part of this publication may be reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any means, mechanical or
electronic, including photocopying, microfilm and
recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without the written permission of
the editor.
Correspondence: Should be addressed to: Editor, 1812
Riggins Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. For telephone
inquiries, call (850) 671-3700. Or E-mail FAHSA at
info@fahsa.org. © 2010 FAHSA. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this
correspondence is not intended as a substitute for
legal advice. Please discuss any information
gathered from this or any other FAHSA publications
with your legal counsel in the context of your
particular situation before implementing any new
policies or procedures.
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