Having trouble reading this message in your E-Mail client? Click here to read online version
KAHCF
HOME NURSING HOME LOCATOR ABOUT US MEMBERSHIP NEWS & UPDATES CONTACT

 PRESIDENT'S ALERT


July 25, 2017


URGENT CALL TO ACTION
SAMPLE LETTER TO CABINET ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO CERTIFICATE OF NEED CRITERIA


To assist members when sending comments to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services regarding significant changes to Certificate of Need criteria as proposed in regulation 900 KAR 5:020 and with changes to the State Health Plan, the Association has included suggested language for facilities to use (see previous alert for details and where to send comments). When submitting comments, please forward a copy of your letter(s) to Margaret Stivers so the Association can keep track of responses to the Cabinet. The Association will not share any letters without permission. A sample letter written by a member is given below. Click here to open the letter below that can be easily formatted to fit your needs.

Dear Ms. Orme:

I am ____________(include title if appropriate) with _____________ in _________, Kentucky and we are associated with _____ skilled nursing facilities throughout the Commonwealth.

Please accept this [letter/e-mail] as written comments regarding the proposed changes to 900 KAR 5:020.

_________________strongly opposes the amendment to 900 KAR 5:020.  There is no need for additional short-term rehabilitation services in Kentucky.  Currently, Kentucky licensed nursing facilities and nursing homes are providing high quality short-term rehabilitation services in their communities.

The addition of new short-term rehabilitation beds will siphon off Medicare residents from existing nursing facilities and nursing homes exacerbating the clinical staffing crisis that many providers are experiencing in Kentucky.

Kentucky nursing facilities have been providing short-term, post-acute care for many years.  These post-acute services occur immediately after discharge from a hospital and are aimed at returning patients to their homes within 30 days, and often sooner.

Overall usage of nursing facilities is declining.  Length of stay has declined.  The average occupancy in the Commonwealth has declined to 87% statewide. Space is available in existing nursing facility beds to accommodate the need for short-term post-acute rehabilitation lasting 21-days or less.

For our nursing facilities to remain viable, existing CON regulations must remain in force and efforts to circumvent long-established rules must be denied.

Once again, we strongly oppose the amendment to 900 KAR 5:020. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,
[Name}

Contact the Association with questions on this campaign to preserve current Certificate of Need criteria.





Copyright KAHCF. All Rights Reserved.   |   9403 Mill Brook Rd. Louisville, KY 40223   |   Phone: 502.425.5000   |   Fax: 502.425.3431