Here at Saber Healthcare Group, we’ve recently expanded our leadership team to include a position that will advocate for the residents we serve through public policy. We recently welcomed Zach Shamberg as Saber Healthcare Group’s Chief of Government Affairs. Get to know Shamberg and the amazing influence he has had on the long-term care industry!

Can you tell us a little about your career in public relations and public policy?

“I’ve worked in politics since 2009, when I volunteered on a U.S. Senate campaign in Pennsylvania as a senior at Ursinus College. Almost immediately, I fell in love with campaigning and the legislative process. Upon graduation, I served as Campaign Manager to Todd Stephens, a then-candidate for state Representative in Montgomery County, PA. We won that race in November 2010, and I became his first District Office Manager and Chief of Staff.

In 2014, after working to get Rep. Stephens re-elected, I moved to Harrisburg to join the Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA) as their Director of Government Affairs and chief lobbyist. It was there that I truly learned about lobbying, messaging, and the power of grassroots advocacy. PHCA represents long-term care providers throughout the commonwealth, including Saber Healthcare Group.

In 2019, I ascended to the role of President and CEO of PHCA. And for six years, I was proud to lead the association in the fight for support and resources for providers, staff, and the residents we serve.

Throughout the past fifteen years, I’ve worked on congressional campaigns, served on numerous committees, commissions, and boards, and built coalitions with groups like SEIU Healthcare PA and Pennsylvania’s hospital association. We made great strides in Pennsylvania, and I’m excited to do the same for Saber in our six states, as well as in Washington, D.C.”

What were some of the public policy achievements that you have accomplished in the past?

“2022 was an incredible year for long-term care in Pennsylvania. We, along with our members and advocates, secured a record 17.5% Medicaid reimbursement increase for nursing homes. Coupled with federal matching dollars, this equated to more than $600 million for providers, workers, and residents across the state.

Additionally, we successfully defeated a 4.1 PPD staffing proposal, which would have been disastrous in a state that was experiencing a longstanding nurse shortage. Instead of an unattainable minimum, we worked with Governor Tom Wolf, legislative leaders in the House and Senate, and the workers’ unions to settle on staffing standards that were actually achievable – and paid for by the state.

Throughout the course of my six years as President and CEO, we successfully passed more than ten (10) bills and legislative initiatives, each focused on key policy reforms our members needed – including Medicaid reimbursement, workforce development, cutting burdensome regulations, and building collaborative relationships with state agencies.

But perhaps most important: we made long-term care a priority in a capital where it had never been before. We were aggressive in our advocacy and in our messaging, and we forced our issues – and our need for support – to the forefront of the legislative conversation.”

What do you think are some of the challenges the current healthcare industry faces?

“It would be easy to say workforce shortages, reimbursement inadequacies, regulatory burdens, or the punitive legal environment. While that’s all true, and those are all challenges we encounter in states throughout the country.

But the biggest challenge our sector faces is public perception. We’ll never address all those challenges – and ultimately fix them – if the general public and state and federal lawmakers don’t believe in what we do, and how we care for our residents and support our caregivers. We ultimately must change the narrative surrounding our sector, and I’m excited to do just that in D.C. and in our state capitols.”

What is one positive memory in your career that you can share with us?

“I’ll never forget the moment we learned we won our first political campaign in November 2010. Working day and night for six months for that ‘payoff’ – and achieving it – was something that will always stick with me. It was at that moment that I was hooked on politics forever.”

What achievement are you most proud of in your career?

“Supporting our long-term care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic – and standing up for our providers, staff, and residents in legislative hearings, press conferences, and public forums. We were never afraid to speak out in support of our members – and against harmful policy.”

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in public policy?

“Be prepared to work hard and be open to learning, especially when you first start your career. As a Campaign Manager, I was organizing volunteers, going door-to-door, or building our constituent support seven days a week. As a Chief of Staff, I spent my time learning about the issues affecting our district, building our legislative priorities, and reaching out to those same constituents. I tried to learn all I could, and that served me well 10+ years later.

Additionally, relationship building is key. Network, network, network. The relationships you build early in your career will open the doors you need to succeed in developing policy.”

What are you most excited to bring to your role at Saber Healthcare?

“An understanding of the legislative process – both at the state and federal level – that can help Saber achieve its policy goals. Moving forward, we’ll have a robust agenda that can be advocated for in our six state capitols and in Washington, D.C. – and I’m excited to lead that charge.

I’m also really looking forward to working with our thousands of employees, frontline staff, residents, and their families, as my goal is to build a grassroots network of advocates.”

How do you see Saber Healthcare leading the way in public policy in the future?

“The policy positions we’re advocating for – which includes prioritizing quality metrics and quality-driven reimbursement – are unique in the long-term care sector. We have a winning message here at Saber, and I’m excited to share that message throughout the next few months and years.”