THCA

Volume XXXI, Number 1
January 2016

President’s Report

“Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress.”

– Charles Kettering

Happy New Year to all of you! I hope that your January is starting well and that the resolutions you’ve made (if you made) are still tracking for success. The flipping of the page to 2016 brings not only new opportunities, but the need to maintain continued resolve in addressing and preparing to deal with challenges, both present and forthcoming.

With the interim between legislative sessions underway, the interim charges have been released and hearings have begun. Members and leadership of THCA have been invited to provide testimony in both House and Senate Committee hearings to discuss issues such as preparing for the anticipating growth of the aging population in Texas and ways to improve quality and oversight in long term care. These hearings provide added opportunity to address the issues of the Medicaid shortfall, the effects of Managed Care implementation and the priority need to address the significant workforce issues across the state. We will keep you posted on these efforts as there is a lot to be done this year, so stay tuned.

Be recognized for your efforts in caring for your residents and the communities you serve. Applications for the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award are due by January 28th. Don’t miss the opportunity to be recognized for the quality services you provide and the commitment to excellence you’ve made.

Finally, if you haven’t had your state senator or state representative in your facility for a tour or invited them to join you for a special event, now’s the time. There are important elections across Texas this year, as with every year. Your relationships with your elected officials are an important aspect of ensuring that our collective voices are heard. Make the call today.

Onward and Upward

President’s Report

President’s Report

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Legislative Update

Warren Tells House Committee that High Workforce Turnover, Low Wages Threaten Long Term Care

Representative Four Price Honored As Long Term Care Champion

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Commitment to Care

Cutting Edge CMS Funded Dementia Training is Texas Bound

CMS Clarifies Coding “Present on Admission” for Pressure Ulcers in MDS Item M0300

Receive Free Assistance to Report Clostridium Difficile Data and Stop Infection

If you have any questions about the THCA C to C Initiative or would like to share your facilities successes please contact Gloria Bean-Williams at gbwilliams@txhca.org or call (512) 458-1257.

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