Legislative Bulletin: It's Time to Advocate!

13 Session Days Left!

The 2013-14 Legislative Session is winding down, yet there is plenty more to be accomplished in the few remaining days. There have been a number of calendar and political distractions in the Legislature, including the resignation of Assemblyman Vito Lopez, the past-chair of the Assembly Housing Committee.

The governor has been moving forward with his agenda which includes the Woman Equality Act, ethics reform, casino gambling, campaign reform and local government fiscal relief. The Senate and Assembly, however, are focusing on their own priorities including, casino gambling and member priorities in the Senate; medical marijuana and corruption reform for the Independent Democratic Conference; and the Dream Act and Farm Worker Protection in the Assembly.

LeadingAge New York has been addressing its own priorities including Safe Patient Handling, Staffing Ratios and Life Care at Home in meetings with lawmakers and central staff. The Nurses Association has also been in the Capitol, advocating for particular bills that LeadingAge New York opposes, such as Safe Patient Handling and Staffing Ratios. In order to continue on with our legislative successes this year, we need members to mobilize and help us advocate for the following bills:
 

• Safe Patient Handling (A.2180A/Gunter-S.1123A/Maziarz): This bill creates a Statewide Safe Patient Handling Policy for all health care facilities and would require facilities to establish a work group to assist with compliance and training requirements reflecting the statewide policy. LeadingAge New York opposes this bill and urges you to send a letter to your lawmakers opposing this legislation!
   
• Life Care at Home (A.4611/Schimminger-S.2118 (Ranzenhofer): This legislation will provide affordable, accessible, continuing care services to seniors living at home through their local Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). LeadingAge New York supports this bill and urges you to send a letter to your lawmakers supporting this legislation!
   
• Two-person Assist (S.5096/Golden): This bill would enable Assisted Living Programs (ALPs) to admit or retain residents who are medically stable, but require more assistance, known as the two-person assist, with transferring. Enabling the two person assist would help prevent unnecessary nursing home placement for some individuals who want to remain in the assisted living setting. LeadingAge New York supports this bill and urges you to send a letter to your lawmakers supporting this legislation!

While you are out celebrating Memorial Day, there are chances you, your residents, staff and families may run in to legislators while at parades and parties. Don’t hesitate to ask to speak with them about these particular bills. As always, please use our Legislative Action Center as a resource to connect with your lawmakers. Legislators will not return to Albany until Wed., May 29 – leaving them in their districts until May 28 – please reach out to them about the bills mentioned above. For assistance with these advocacy opportunities, please contact, Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8844 or Ami Schnauber at 518-867-8854.