Key nursing home groups to merge

{mosads}Both groups are comprised of state-level or other affiliate organizations.

AHCA President Mark Parkinson described the merger as a natural response to the economic and political challenges facing providers of nursing care.

“Our profession stands at a crossroads,” Parkinson said in a statement.

“Faced with continued cuts and growing pressures on the systems that fund the care we provide, there was really only one choice — to band together to form one unified voice.”

He added, “Our advocacy, regulatory, policy and quality efforts will be a force second to none.”

Nursing homes are expected to see a spike in business and influence as the Baby Boom generation ages.

But the facilities have cautioned that further cuts to their Medicare reimbursements will hamper patient care.

The AHCA and the AQNHC actively fought the sequester’s two-percent cut to Medicare providers.

The reduction was delayed as a result of the deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff.”