Legislative Bulletin: It's time to advocate!

Governor releases Executive Budget - long term care initiatives included!

Gov. Cuomo released his Executive Budget Proposals for 2013, earlier this week, in an effort to close a $1.3 billion budget gap without any increased taxes and a 2% growth in spending. Proposals of note for our purposes include:

investments in affordable and supportive housing;
4% growth in Medicaid spending;
2% across the board Medicaid provider cut;
nursing home wage standards;
CON reform;
MLTC quality and oversight provisions;
scope of practice changes for home health aides; and
worker's compensation and unemployment insurance reform.

These proposals, as well as others, can be found in LeadingAge New York's initial budget summary.

Do you have questions about the budget?

LeadingAge New York will host a conference call with members at 10:30 a.m., Fri., Feb. 1 to discuss the governor's budget proposals as they relate to long term care, and prepare you for Advocacy Day.

To participate, please dial 1-866-380-9615 and use participant code 548776. There is no need to RSVP for this conference call; however, if you are unable to listen it, the call will be recorded and available to download on our Legislative Action Center. There will be time dedicated to questions and answers.

It's time to advocate!

Now that the governor has released his Executive Budget Proposals, we have approximately eight and a half weeks to make sure our voices are heard! With the budget expected to be finalized by March 21, Ami Schnauber, LeadingAge New York's director of government relations, has scheduled several post-budget meetings, and has already met with Sen. Hannon (Chair of Senate Health Committee) and Sen. DeFrancisco (Chair of Senate Finance Committee) to discuss a number of the Association's concerns about the governor's budget.

In addition to post-budget meetings, LeadingAge New York's President/CEO, Jim Clyne, will be testifying at the Health/Medicaid Joint Legislative Hearing on Jan. 30. We are also scheduled to testify at the Housing Joint Legislative Hearing on Tues., Feb. 5 - the same day as the LeadingAge New York/ADHCC Annual Advocacy Day! If you have not yet registered for this year's Advocacy Day, we encourage you to do so at your earliest convenience! To register, click here. And then join us next Fri., Feb. 1 for a conference call on the budget and to prepare our message for Advocacy Day (see details on the conference call above).

Once you have registered for Advocacy Day, we encourage you to begin scheduling meetings with your lawmakers to discuss the impact that this year's budget will have on your organization, those you employ and serve. All Advocacy Day materials, including hotel information and advocacy day tips are available here. Parking information and handouts will be e-mailed to registrants the week before Advocacy Day.

Register NOW for the Annual LeadingAge New York PAC Golf Tournament!

LeadingAge New York's annual PAC golf tournament will once again be held at Saratoga Spa Golf Course on Mon., May 20!

The event will kick-off later than usual, with registration beginning at 11 a.m., followed by an 11:45 a.m. shotgun start!

In addition to the typical 18-hole tournament, we will also be hosting a pro-golf clinic followed by a second 9-hole tournament on the par 3 course! The tournaments will wrap up around 4:30 p.m. - just in time for a quaint cocktail reception and prizes!

To register for this year's golf tournament or to become a sponsor, click here or contact Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8844.

Accountable Care Organization legislation passed in Assembly

A.1989 (Gottfried)/S.2080 (Hannon) relates to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and enables the commissioner of health to convene a workgroup that would develop a proposal to consider whether an ACO should be enabled to serve in place of a managed care plan. Unlike current law, the workgroup now allows for more representation from insurance plans and enrollees. This bill was brought to the Assembly floor for discussion and passed, earlier this week - it now remains on the Senate Calendar to be debated.
Committee news

Assembly committee assignments were released, this week. Of note are:

Housing Committee: Assemblyman Keith Wright, chair (previously held by Vito Lopez);
Insurance Committee: Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, chair (previously held by Joe Morelle who is now Assembly Majority Leader);
Mental Health Committee: Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (previously held by Felix Ortiz);
Aging Committee: Assemblywoman Joan Millman remains chair;
Health Committee: Assemblyman Richard Gottfried remains chair; and
Ways & Means Committee: Assemblyman Herman Farrell remains chair.

Senate Committee Assignments were also released:

Housing Committee: Sen. Cathy Young remains chair;
Insurance Committee: Sen. James Seward remains chair;
Mental Health Committee: Sen. David Carlucci (previously held by Roy McDonald);
Aging Committee: Sen. Eric Adams, chair (previously held by David Valesky);
Health Committee: Sen. Kemp Hannon remains chair; and
Finance Committee: Sen. John DeFrancisco remains chair, Sen. Malcolm Smith has been added as vice-chair.