NPA Hosts Successful Spring Policy Forum
NPA hosted a successful Spring Policy Forum March 11-12 in Washington, DC. This year’s forum had the highest attendance to date, with more than 300 attendees overall and a strong contingent of first-time attendees.
On hand for the forum were many officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), state partners, PACE leaders, and – for the first time ever – a representative of the White House. The forum featured presentations, networking opportunities and an awards luncheon and was supported by 22 exhibitors and four sponsors.
NPA staff members Francesca O’ Reilly, vice president of Advocacy, and Katie Pahner, vice president of Regulatory Affairs, presented an overview of the policy priorities and activities of the association. They outlined NPA legislative goals, including the advancement of five pieces of legislation to support PACE expansion.
At the top of the legislative agenda is the PACE Part D Choice Act, which would address the high cost of Part D prescription drug plans for PACE enrollees. Another high priority is the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, which would ensure that veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system who are eligible for and in need of home- and community-based services would be able to receive care and services at home, including PACE.
NPA also continues to work to advance the Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act, the PACE Expanded Act, and the Delivering Unified Access to Lifesaving Services (DUALS) Act.
The keynote speaker for the forum was Jessica Schubel, Special Assistant to the President for Health Care. She addressed the need for an expanded focus on supports and services for older adults and emphasized President Biden’s commitment in this area, such as $37 billion delivered to the states to expand access to home care and improve the quality of caregiving jobs.
During the awards luncheon, NPA presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE). Recognized with NPA Public Service Awards were U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH-2), and Adam Herbst, deputy commissioner of the Office of Aging and Long-Term Care in the New York State Department of Health. The photo shows Sen. Cassidy (center) with NPA president and CEO Shawn Bloom and Susan Nelson, MD, a board member of PACE Greater New Orleans.
At the conclusion of the forum, representatives from 36 PACE programs took park in PACE Capitol Hill Day, attending more than 50 meetings with their members of Congress and congressional staff.
NPA members can stay current with PACE policy developments by participating in the NPA All-Member Public Policy Update, a Zoom meeting held on the second Tuesday of each month. For audit-specific information, NPA members can join the NPA Bi-Monthly Audit call.