History of the Nevada Health Care Association
(Our Mission Statement)

   
The Nevada Health Care Association was established in 1974 as the Nevada Association of Health Facilities. The NHCA advocates working with state agencies such as Nevada Medicaid on the development of payment rates, and the State Health Division's Bureau of Licensure & Certification on survey and inspection of nursing homes. As a non-profit organization, NHCA's objectives are to:

· Promote public health and welfare for better long term care among   health care facilities is Nevada.
· Address common industry issues.
· Improve the ability of institutions to meet the long term care needs in their areas.
· Consider the long term care needs for the entire state of Nevada.
· Sponsor educational and research projects to further objectives.

NHCA meets with policymakers at all levels of government to address long term care issues in Nevada.

Except for Alaska, Nevada has the fewest number of nursing homes in the nation. In 1975 there were only twelve nursing homes in all of the State. The first Skilled Nursing Facility in Elko opened in the late 1970’s, and Ely’s nursing home opened in 1980. Henderson, one of the fastest growing cities in the country today, did not acquire its first nursing home until 1983. Today, there are 22 nursing homes in Southern Nevada, and 12 in Northern Nevada.

The Nevada Health Care Association is a non-profit organization of long term care facilities and associate members, together representing nearly 50 non-profit and for-profit assisted living, nursing facility, and sub- acute care providers that care for over 6,000 elderly and disabled individuals statewide and employ more than 8,000 Nevadans.

Charles Perry Biography

Charles Perry is the Executive Director of the Nevada Health Care Association and has held this position with the NHCA since August 2000.

Perry has been closely affiliated with the long term care industry in Nevada since 1975 when he came to Las Vegas as a founding partner of Quality Care Inc. to oversee operations at the Vegas Valley Convalescent Hospital from 1975 to 1984. During this time, Perry was President of the NHCA from 1976 to 1978. He then went on to chair the association's Government Affairs Committee.

In 1982, Perry was elected to the Nevada Legislature and served as an Assemblyman in the regular session in 1983 and the 1984 Special Session. In 1983, Perry and his associated built the Henderson Convalescent Hospital.

From 1988 to 1992, Perry again served as President of the NHCA. In 1991, he opened a major addition to the Henderson Convalescent Hospital.

"The most important issue is to capitalize and retain Medicaid payment rates and keep the budget intact. For many years there has been no increase in Medicaid per diems, or only a one or two percent increase to offset inflation, leaving the care standards higher than the financed standards", said Perry.

A licensed nursing home administrator since 1971, Perry began his career in nursing home administration in 1967 in Grenada, Mississippi.