Dear Healthcare Finance Friends,

The day-to-day struggle of owning and operating healthcare facilities is more than a full time job.  As someone who has worked to provide financing opportunities for healthcare facilities, I understand those challenges and most importantly, how little time we all have.  So why do we need another trade association? Why do we need another newsletter and another website and another set of talking points that we are asked to share with Congressmen and Senators?

We need to ensure that the good work you do is not forgotten about and that you have the access to credit you need to maintain and improve your facilities and provide opportunities for the growing number of seniors who need care.

We will never replace the work that AHCA or NCAL or ALFA perform.  In fact, we are working with our colleagues at other trade associations because we all understand that there are many challenges we face and no single organization can cover all the bases.  Understanding the unique challenges of healthcare facility credit access cannot be everyone’s specialty – but it is ours.

In the last two years, the predecessor to the Coalition for Healthcare Finance, the Coalition for Senior Healthcare Reform, has battled to keep credit available to long-term care facilities.  When the former Federal Housing Commissioner said that there would not be enough staff to implement the Section 232 mortgage insurance program – the program that thousands of facilities use as a life-line – we did not accept it lying down. We worked with Congress and the Administration to find new staff and new contracting resources so that the program could thrive.  Today, the Section 232 program is running better and serving as a better resource to facilities than ever before.

We were successful because we understand that a committed group of people representing all aspects of healthcare facilities – particularly the owners and operators of long-term care facilities – can make a difference.  Similarly, we have fought to restructure the inspection process for facilities so that HUD/FHA policies protect seniors and the integrity of the FHA insurance funds, but that they do so in a way that does not interfere with the good work those facilities do.  Now that the administration is proposing increases across the board in financing fees, we are working with Congress to make sure that healthcare facilities are not paying for the financial challenges FHA has in its single-family housing and homeownership program.

The response to our efforts has been overwhelming and I want to thank all of the facilities who have stepped up and delivered not only for their own economic future, but for the economic future of every healthcare facility in America.  We do not see Congress or FHA as the enemy; we see them as a tremendous resource that occasionally needs to be reminded about the invaluable work you do.

Healthcare facilities create jobs, improve the quality of life for millions of families and save the taxpayers’ money.  Access to credit means your facilities can continue to thrive and provide the quality of care that our seniors deserve.  We are committed to that goal and we encourage you to not only get involved yourself, but to encourage your colleagues to do so as well.  As our effort gains steam we will be developing new programs and creating new opportunities to improve credit access because healthcare facilities are vital to our families and our economy.

As Chairman of the Coalition for Healthcare Finance I am optimistic about the future of our industry, but I am also realistic because I know we have to work together to ensure our own success.  You can contact us here on our site or call us at (202) 543-4863 to find out how you can get more involved.

Sincerely,

Brian Reynolds
Chairman
Coalition for Healthcare Fiannce