Legislative Bulletin: Governor to release Executive Budget on Tuesday!

Budget update!
Next week will be a busy one - Gov. Cuomo will make his Executive Budget Presentation at 2 p.m., Tues., Jan. 22! The event will be made available to download on the governor’s website. The website will also be updated to reflect his budget proposal documents later on in the day.

LeadingAge New York policy and government relations staff will analyze the governor’s budget proposals and issue a review to members of what was included that could potentially impact members. From what the governor released in his State of the State Address, we can expect to see a number of initiatives that will pertain to public health and long-term care included in some of his proposals.

Following the release of the governor’s budget proposals, the Legislature will enter budget negotiations; begin hosting joint legislative public hearings, including hearings on health/Medicaid as well as housing, which LeadingAge New York will testify at; and ultimately finalize a budget as early as Thurs., March 21.

Given this timeframe, we have approximately one month from the time the governor’s executive budget is released to make sure that lawmakers hear from us and ensure that this year’s budget isn’t balanced on the backs of long-term care providers, those they serve and employ.

Be sure to join us on Tues., Feb. 5 in Albany for LeadingAge New York and the Adult Day Health Care Council’s annual Advocacy Day! Register today  to meet with the newly elected legislators and reconnect with incumbent legislators to educate them about the important work you are doing and the daily challenges you face. Make sure they hear from you before passing bills that affect your industry and your mission! Access all Advocacy Day materials here. To register, click here.

LeadingAge New York meets with legislative staff on budget and senior housing initiatives
In preparing for upcoming budget negotiations, Ami Schnauber, LeadingAge New York’s director of government relations, along with the Association’s newly retained legislative and regulatory council, Hinman Straub, hosted several productive meetings with central staff in both the Assembly and Senate to discuss the Association’s 2013 budget priorities, as well as the Association’s recently developed senior housing proposal, the New York State Supportive Senior Housing Services Program (SSHSP).

This program would be able to use funding through the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) waiver and other potential state investments for senior supportive housing. The proposal is based on discussions had at LeadingAge New York Cabinet meetings, and structured to provide funding in a manner that complies with existing federal and New York State laws, including the Assisted Living Reform Act (ALRA) and state Assisted Living Residence (ALR) regulations.

If you have any questions or concerns about LeadingAge New York’s 2013 priorities or Supportive Senior Housing Services Program, please contact Ami Schnauber at 518-867-8854.

Public Health Health Planning Council final report on CON Redesign released

Earlier this week, the Department of Health released the Public Health Health Planning Council’s (PHHPC) final report on Redesigning Certificate of Need and Health Planning. The final report, broken down in to seven sections, discusses the objective of the CON Redesign process; recommendations, including regional recommendations; CON and licensure as related to the supply and distribution of services; governance and streamlining as related to “character and competence of new health care operators”; and the streamlining of the financial components.

The report comes after PHHPC approved 23 proposals that in conjunction with the administrative streamlining recommendations adopted in Phase I of the CON redesign process, would work to create a new process for regional planning, CON and licensure in New York.

Jim Clyne urges U.S. Senate to nominate Audrey Weiner to the Commission on Long-Term Care
Jim Clyne, LeadingAge New York President and CEO, issued a letter to U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer urging them to nominate LeadingAge New York member and chair of LeadingAge, Audrey Weiner, to the Commission on Long-Term Care. The Commission was developed in response to the repeal of the Class Act, legislation that would have encouraged people to begin preparing for their long-term care needs.

Ms. Weiner is the President and CEO of Jewish Home Lifecare and has worked extensively with thousands of elders and their families facing the need for aging services. She has extensive experience working on boards and commissions with a variety of stakeholders in the long-term services and supports field, especially in the area of workforce development. In addition, Ms. Weiner is a published author of scholarly articles and books on long-term services and supports.

PAC Golf Tournament returning to Saratoga Springs with a new format!
The LeadingAge New York PAC will host its annual golf tournament on Mon., May 20 at Saratoga Spa Golf Course! This year’s format for the golf outing will include a change in time and programming.

Registration will begin at 11 a.m., followed by an 11:45 a.m. shotgun start – in doing so, we are hoping to accommodate golfers’ schedules and to see many more golfers on the green!

In addition to a later start, Saratoga Spa is offering a pro-golf clinic for those of us who may be a little rusty or want to try out the sport! This will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m., followed by a round of golf on the back 9 at 2:30 p.m.

New sponsorship opportunities are also available! Please keep an eye on your inbox for the golf tournament registration form, which will be made available next week!

Also, if you have yet to make your donation to the PAC, you can do so here! Interested in becoming a member of the Founders Club? Click here to find out how and learn about what you will receive as a member!

Cecilia Tkaczyk wins Democratic Senate seat over George Amedore
It was confirmed today that Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk has been elected to the state Senate! Tkaczyk held the lead over Republican Senator George Amedore, and now represents the 46th Senate District. The 19 vote lead is the second-closest race in the modern history of the state Senate, according to the Times Union. Learn more about Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk here.