NYSHFA Descends on Capitol Hill
Earlier this week, Kristin DeVries and I joined with NYSHFA Members from throughout the State to meet with New York’s Congressional delegation in Washington, DC to advocate for federal legislation critical to the sustainability and quality of skilled nursing facilities across New York State and the nation during the annual AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing.
Among the key pieces of legislation NYSHFA was advocating for were the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026, and the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act of 2026.
Legislative Priorities Discussed
NYSHFA urged members of New York’s Congressional Delegation to support the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026, which aims to strengthen protections for nursing home residents enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Key provisions that we discussed include:
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- Reducing inappropriate prior authorization denials for skilled nursing facility care and post-acute services.
- Requiring timely appeals processes to prevent discharge or denial of medically necessary care.
- Ensuring MA plans adhere to traditional Medicare coverage criteria for post-acute and long-term care.
- Improving transparency and accountability in MA plan utilization management practices.
NYSHFA also sought support from members of New York’s Congressional Delegation for the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act of 2026. This legislation allows skilled nursing facilities that have been required to terminate their in-house nurse aide training programs to resume those programs once deficiencies have been corrected as opposed to being subject to a two-year ban.
Outcome & Next Steps
All congressional members and key staff that NYSHFA met with were receptive and expressed support for the goals of both the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act and the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act.
NYSHFA will continue to work with New York’s Congressional Delegation and AHCA/NCAL to advance these critical bills as they move through the federal legislative process.
