Skip to content Accessibility tools

AHCA/NCAL – A Message from the President & CEO Mark Parkinson – Advancing CDC Guidance Reliefs

Just last week in my email update to you, I shared that I’ve heard from countless members that the continued PPE and other related requirements for our facilities don’t make sense. It is time to update the CDC guidance on PPE, screening, testing, and quarantine for the benefit of our residents and their quality of life and to help our staff.

When I asked for your help to get this guidance changed, you responded. We have seen countless emails sent by our members to the CDC and CMS. You’ve shared the challenges that the current guidance is creating for your staff and how it is affecting the health and well-being of your residents.

Our team at AHCA/NCAL has been elevating your concerns in the media as well.

And we are not alone in calling for these changes. Other public health leaders have made similar calls to action to the CDC. The Baltimore Sun published an op-ed this week with a compelling case for many of the same changes we are advocating for.

You may have seen yesterday that the CDC updated its COVID-19 guidance for the public. In its press release, the CDC also said the following:

“This updated guidance is intended to apply to community settings. In the coming weeks CDC will work to align stand-alone guidance documents, such as those for healthcare settings, congregate settings at higher risk of transmission, and travel, with today’s update.”

Now that we know the CDC is planning to update this guidance, I want to renew my ask for your help. A team of our members and staff has developed a data driven/common sense plan that would relieve these restrictions when COVID risks are low and align protocols with the current stage of the pandemic. We need the CDC and CMS to understand how the current guidance is not sustainable and makes it hard on residents, families, and staff.

You can help us with this by writing the CDC and CMS on this topic. We encourage you to do so. Letters can be emailed to the CDC and/or CMS:

If you do send comments, please send a copy to AHCA/NCAL at regulatory@ahca.org

I know that we can make change happen if we all work together. Thank you for all you do every day and for allowing AHCA/NCAL to represent you.

Sincerely,

Mark Parkinson
President & CEO, AHCA/NCAL