Knox Center for Long Term Care Administrator
Represents MHCA in Washington, DC

On June 4 and 5, Knox Center for Long Term Care Administrator Don Gross represented the Maine Health Care Association (MHCA) at a Congressional Briefing in Washington, DC.

In addition to meeting with Senator Susan Collins, Representative Michael Michaud, and staff of Representative Tom Allen and Senator Olympia Snowe, Gross attended educational and networking sessions at the conference, which was sponsored by the American Health Care Association (AHCA).

By taking part in this national event, Gross was able to help remind our legislators and senators of some of the important challenges, which face Maine elders and the healthcare community. The rising costs of fuel and other necessities continue to put an increased burden on those caring for the elderly, a concern that is recognized and shared by Maine's senators and representatives, Gross said.

"As much as 90 percent of the funding for nursing facilities in the state of Maine comes from taxpayers," said Gross. "Given this financial position and the large percentage of elderly persons in our state, it is important for our representatives to continue to vote for budgets which include adequate funding for long term care."

The AHCA, of which the MHCA is a member, is a non-profit federation of affiliated state health organizations representing non-profit and for-profit assisted living, nursing facility, developmentally-disabled, and subacute care providers throughout the nation. According to the AHCA, their mission is to improve the standards of service and administration of member nursing homes, to secure and merit public and official recognition and approval of the work of nursing homes, and to adopt and promote programs of education, legislation, better understanding and mutual cooperation.

Visit the Knox Center for Long Term Care online at www.knoxcenter.org.