IHCA Skilled Nursing Facility Cabinet

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Cabinet of the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) is established to serve as a specialized advisory group to the IHCA Board of Trustees. This cabinet contemplates issues and opportunities facing the SNF sector, advises the Board of Trustees on the issues and works to support IHCA's mission of advancing high-quality care across the continuum of services.

The nomination period for IHCA’s 2026 leadership groups has ended. All nominations will be reviewed by the IHCA Executive Committee Chair. Selected individuals will be notified by November 2025, with terms beginning in January 2026. Nominations for 2027 will open in the summer of 2026.

Cabinet Purpose

IHCA's SNF Cabinet exists to advise the IHCA Board of Trustees on issues, trends and policy matters affecting SNF members.

The cabinet will:

  • Ensure SNF providers have a unified voice within the association.
  • Inform IHCA member services as they relate to the SNF sector.
  • Work to promote the exchange of best practices and innovation among SNF providers.

Cabinet Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the SNF Cabinet include:

  • Identifying and discussing sector-specific legislative, regulatory and member service priorities.
  • Providing input to the IHCA staff on the development of strategic plans and public policy positions.
  • Serving as a conduit between SNF members and the IHCA Board of Trustees.

Membership Qualifications

Cabinet members should:

  • Represent a licensed SNF provider in good membership standing and hold a leadership position within that organization (e.g., administrator, executive director, CEO, owner).
  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of SNF operations, regulations and industry challenges.
  • Commit to regular attendance and active, informed participation.

Composition

IHCA's SNF Cabinet will be composed of 14 members:

  • Chair (Serves on IHCA Board of Trustees; election already in process)
  • Vice-Chair (Serves on IHCA Board of Trustees; election already in process)
  • Immediate Past Chair
  • Single Facility Director
  • Multi-Facility Director
  • Proprietary Director
  • Non-Proprietary Director
  • Northwest District SNF Chair
  • Northeast District SNF Chair
  • Southwest District SNF Chair
  • Southeast District SNF Chair
  • Three Director-At-Large positions

Meeting Frequency and Communication Channels

The cabinet will meet not less than one time per year, with additional meetings scheduled as necessary and convened by the Cabinet Chair.  

The SNF Cabinet Chair and Vice-Chair will serve on the IHCA Board of Trustees and serve as the communication bridge to the SNF Cabinet. A dedicated IHCA staff liaison will support the Cabinet. IHCA may use secure platforms (e.g., online member portals, email lists, and/or IHCA Communities) to share documents and updates.

Outcomes

The SNF Cabinet is expected to produce the following key outcomes:

  • Strategic Influence: Provide informed, actionable recommendations to the IHCA Board of Trustees that directly share the association’s advocacy agenda, educational offerings and regulatory engagement related to SNF providers.
  • Sector Representation: Ensure the unique needs, challenges and innovations of the skilled nursing sector are consistently represented in IHCA decisions and public positions.
  • Policy Development: Contribute to the creation of sector-specific policies, white papers and position statement that support regulatory clarity, workforce sustainability and quality improvement.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Foster cross-sector collaboration with other IHCA cabinets to drive unified solutions for system-wide challenges such as staffing, reimbursement and care transitions.
  • Member Engagement: Increase engagement of SNF members by providing relevant insights, leadership opportunities and communication pathways between providers and IHCA leadership.
  • Continuous Improvement: Support the identification, sharing and scaling of best practices to improve resident outcomes, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance in SNFs across the state.