Clifton J. Porter II started his term as chief executive of the nation’s largest nursing home advocacy group Monday, marking the next step in a major leadership transition for the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living.
“I am excited and ready,” said Porter, who previously served as head of the Government Relations department at AHCA/NCAL for more than a decade, in a statement announcing the official switchover Monday morning. “Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, these past few weeks have been trying for our profession, but they’ve also been inspiring. Heroic caregivers are working day in and day out to continue to protect and care for their residents, and the entire profession has rallied around them to show our support.
“It’s a humbling reminder of the importance of what we do and the power of staying united,” he added. “I begin this new role emboldened by the dedication of our caregivers and resolute in helping our entire profession move forward together.”
Mark Parkinson previously led the organization, starting in 2010 and driving growth in its membership to 14,000 provider groups. He steered the sector through the COVID-19 pandemic and an ensuing workforce crisis during two contracted terms as president and CEO. The governor of Kansas before taking AHCA’s top post, he announced his retirement in February, saying at the time that he would stay on until January 2025.
Porter was selected as Parkinson’s successor after a broad search. At that time, Parkinson’s retirement date was moved up to fall of 2024. Many had expected some formal recognition of a passing of the reins at AHCA’s annual convention last week, but that was thwarted by the arrival of Hurricane Milton in host city Orlando and the event’s cancellation.
Parkinson instead took to social media over the weekend to share “one last message as president & CEO of AHCA/NCAL.”
“I know it sounds cliché, but it really is hard to believe that 14 years have passed by,” Parkinson wrote on LinkedIn. “The time has gone fast because I’ve loved the job. I’ve loved it because of you. Your support and encouragement have meant so much to me. More important, the work that you do every day, and particularly during the early days of the pandemic, gave my life an important purpose.”
Parkinson added that he believes the sector is in “good shape.”
“Many of you are thriving,” he told his members. “And I’m optimistic about what will happen next. The demographics really are on our side. Millions more will need to live in our assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities.”
‘Right person, right time’
Parkinson once again endorsed Porter, who is now the sector’s leading figure and spokesman, calling him “the right person at the right time.”
A former nursing home administrator and later an HCR ManorCare executive, Porter was named senior vice president of government relations for AHCA/NCAL in 2013, leading the organization’s legislative agenda and advocacy efforts.
His achievements include aiding passage of the IMPACT Act, repealing the physician sustainable growth rate, furthering skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing, and the permanent repeal of the Medicare Part B therapy caps.
He also was a leading voice in Washington in negotiations during the COVID-19 response to secure essential financial support and flexibility for the long-term care sector.
In July, Porter told McKnight’s Long-Term Care News that among his goals as head of AHCA is fundamentally changing the regulatory environment in a way that improves quality. Now may be the time, given the nation’s rapidly aging population.
“Policymakers understand, one, we’re essential,” Porter said. “As demand grows, it puts us in a position to where we can obviously scale on that growth and hopefully create an environment for our providers where we can do a better job caring for people and ultimately prospering.”
Parkinson over the weekend called on members to give Porter “support and encouragement.”
“Very good things are going to happen,” Parkinson wrote. “He is one of us. As a former administrator, he cares about our residents and employees in the same way that you do. More important, he is the consummate DC lobbyist. He is loved by both sides of the aisle. He and you are going to do great things.”
Parkinson is not exiting the scene. He will be a consultant — for Porter, not AHCA, he emphasized — until the end of 2026. He will work “very much from behind the scenes” on any projects the new CEO may designate. The former AHCA/CEO leader also said he will be working “full time” in the sector on unspecified tasks and projects of his own.
