Following election night with the Democrats regaining control of the US House of Representatives just two days prior to Mass Senior Care’s 2018 Annual Meeting & Trade Show, Congressman Richard Neal delivered a powerful message to more than 700 attendees. A ranking member of the Ways & Means Committee, through which all legislation dealing with taxes, trade, healthcare, and Social Security passes, Neal emphasized his strong support of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, noting in a post-election press conference that “I will be unyielding in defense of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.” The Congressman shared his experience visiting Hillcrest Commons in Pittsfield and urged all attendees to invite their state and federal legislators to visit their facilities. Bill Jones, former Chairman of the Board of Mass Senior Care Association and the President of Berkshire Healthcare Systems, presented Congressman Neal with the Association’s Better Life Award, recognizing “Your Outstanding Advocacy in Promoting Quality Long Term Care Services for the Elderly and Disabled Residents of the Commonwealth.
The morning keynote address was presented by Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association (AHCA/NCAL), who shared strategies on how members can “survive and thrive” in an extremely challenging environment. Parkinson encouraged members to begin preparing for PDPM now and announced a joint partnership program with Mass Senior Care Association to provide members with the tools and resources they will need to successfully transition to this new payment model.
Mass Senior Care’s Chairman, Matt Salmon, Chief Executive Officer of SALMON Health and Retirement, showcased the Association’s new video, Promise to Care, which focuses attention on the need to support a living wage for direct care workers and close the current Medicaid funding gap. Salmon and Gregorio honored 32 members with Certificates of Recognition for their achievements in the AHCA Quality Awards program.
Gregorio concluded the meeting by opening the Annual Business Meeting at which Tom Lavallee, Association Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer of Alliance Health Management Services presented the 2019 Association Budget and Naomi Prendergast, Nominating Committee Member and President and CEO of D’Youville Life and Wellness Community presented the Slate of Officers and Members at Large, both of which were approved. Matt Salmon, was re-elected as Chairman of the Association.
Following the sold-out Trade Show featuring 105 Associate members, attendees reconvened for the afternoon education session featuring the Department of Public Health, ABT Associates and provider members presenting lessons learned from recent SPOT initiatives.
Thank you to our generous sponsors for their continued support of the Association: