Mathis’ tour to take place May 10-13
LAS VEGAS – Daniel Mathis, political action committee chairperson for the nonprofit Nevada Health Care Association, rode away on Monday on his Kawasaki Concours to begin his four-day tour of Nevada’s long-term care facilities. He will be visiting 14 facilities in four days as part of National Nursing Home Week.
From May 10-13, Mathis will be discussing issues important to the long-term care industry that will be introduced in the 2011 Nevada Legislature. (Remaining schedule below.)
“It’s difficult for facilities to keep up with the continuously changing legislation and proposed legislation that affects their industry,” Mathis said. “As a professional organization representing the long-term care industry, it’s our jobs to keep our member facilities informed on the issues that will affect them – positively or negatively.”
Nevada’s fiscal condition is fragile and the 2011 Legislature will likely be faced with a deficit at least twice the size of the one addressed in the 2010 Special Session of the Nevada Legislature. The forecast is a shortfall of roughly 50 percent of the 2012-2013 budget due to lower tax collections, expiration of the temporary tax increases passed in 2009, and the end of Federal stimulus money on Dec. 31. According to NHCA, Nevada could very well be facing a temporary reduction, such as happened in May-June of 2009, before the end of the biennium.
Furthermore, there is currently a movement to approve a drastic increase in facility licensure fees. If this proposed legislation passes, Nevada’s long-term care facilities would be forced to raise their rates to offset costs. This is a statewide issue and the NHCA, together with the Nevada Health Career Association and Nevada Rural Hospital Partners, are working with the Nevada Bureau of Health Care Quality & Compliance to stop this initiative, which will be brought to vote in the 2011 Nevada Legislative Session.
Main Points NHCA is focusing on for the 2011 Legislature:
• Pass legislation for Certified Medication Aids.
• Fund current Medicaid programs appropriately from the Nevada General Fund.
• Reduce Clark County Insurance requirements facilitating lower insurance rates for providers.
• Tort Reform – Refers to proposed changes in the civil justice system that would reduce tort litigation or damages.
• Reduction of unfunded State and Federal mandates.
• Presumed Eligibility for Nevada Medicaid payments.
As part of his tour, Mathis will be encouraging those who care about the state of Nevada’s long-term care industry to register to vote.
As political action committee chairperson, Mathis lobbies on behalf of the state’s long-term care industry, raising funds, and educating Nevada’s leaders on the industry and its needs. Mathis has been involved in the medical industry for nearly 30 years.
The Nevada Health Care Association is a non-profit organization of long-term care facilities and associate members together representing nearly 50 non-profit and for-profit assisted living, nursing facilities and sub-acute care providers that care for nearly 6,000 elderly and disabled individuals statewide and employ more than 8,000 Nevadans.
For more information regarding Nevada Health Care Association, call 702-434-2273 or visit www.nvhca.org.
SCHEDULE:
May 12:
9 a.m.: Evergreen Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation Center, 201 Koontz Lane, Carson City, NV
10:30 a.m.: Evergreen Gardnerville Health & Rehabilitation Center, 1573 Mathias Parkway, Gardnerville NV
1 p.m.: Life Care Center of Reno, 445 Holcomb Ranch Lane, Reno VV
May 13:
9 a.m.: ManorCare Wingfield Hills, 2350 Wingfield Hills Road, Reno, NV
10:30 a.m.: ManorCare Health Services, 3101 Plumas Street, Reno NV
2:30 p.m.: Hearthstone of Northern Nevada, 1950 Baring Blvd., Sparks NV