Legislative Bulletin: End-of-Session Highlights
End-of-Session Highlights and Next Steps
The 2013-14 Legislative Session has yet to conclude due to the Senate working through much of the day today to take on a number of high priority bills, including legislation that would make medical marijuana in New York State legal. The bill comes after weeks of debate, with the Governor ultimately amending previous legislation, giving him the right to end the program if it’s abused. The bill will allow for certified doctors only to prescribe marijuana to certified patients who may use it only for medical purposes and who are not to sell the product.
The Assembly adjourned shortly after midnight. Here are some key end-of-session highlights important to LeadingAge NY members:
- Nurse Staffing Ratios: Nurse staffing ratio legislation, A.6571 (Gottfried)-S.3691-A (Hannon), made its way through to the Assembly Ways & Means Committee where it died on the last day of session – this happened last year, as well. The bill did not move at all through the Senate since its introduction in January. It’s most likely that this bill will be taken up again next year. Thank you to all of our members who took part in numerous advocacy initiatives throughout the year to help us defeat this bill. In total, 102 letters in opposition were sent to members of the Legislature.
- Advanced Home Health Aide (AHHA): The bill, A.10137 (Glick), authorizes advanced home health aides to perform certain advanced tasks as determined by the commissioners of education and health. This legislation comes from an agreement between the Nurses’ Association and disability advocates after language pertaining to the AHHC was rejected from a final budget agreement. LeadingAge NY supports the legislation and will work with the Legislature next year to see it passed.
- CCRC Continuing Care at Home: Our continuing care at home legislation passed both houses of the Legislature this session and will be sent to the governor for his consideration sometime in the coming months. The legislation would allow for Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) to contract with members of the community who want to access services through the CCRC. Please send a letter to Gov. Cuomo urging him to sign this bill into law.
- Delayed Implementation for Criminal History Record Checks: The State budget included provisions requiring the review of the criminal history of prospective employees of adult homes, enriched housing programs or residences for adults. Unfortunately, the provision took effect immediately and before the Department of Health (DOH) has been able to put a system in place. This legislation, A.5476-D (Cymbrowitz)-S.4926-C (Hannon), delays the requirement, providing additional time for DOH to get the proper systems in place. The bill passed the Assembly and we are advocating strongly for the bill to pass the Senate before they adjourn today.
PHHPC Confirms New Appointees
Tom Holt, president/CEO of Lutheran Social Services Group in Jamestown and also a member of LeadingAge NY, was confirmed by the Senate Finance Committee as a new appointment to the Public Health and Health Planning Council (PHHPC). Lutheran Social Services provides housing, skilled nursing and assisted living throughout the Western NY region. Also newly appointed is Kim Fine, executive vice president of Albany Medical Center.
There were four reappointments, including: Ellen E. Grant, PhD, second deputy mayor for the city of Buffalo; Glenn A. Martin, MD, director of medical informatics for Queens Health Network; Ellen L. Rautenberg, MHS president & CEO of Public Health Solutions; and Peter G. Robinson, MPH of the University of Rochester Medical Center.
The PHHPC is charged with decision-making and guiding the State’s public health and health care delivery system. Read more about the Council here.
New Deputy Commissioner of OHSM Confirmed
Daniel Sheppard will take over as Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management within the next two weeks. This position was formerly held by Karen Westervelt. Shepherd was previously with the Division of Budget.
PAC Golf Tournament a Huge Success
Thank you to all of those who golfed and sponsored the LeadingAge New York PAC Golf Tournament, including: COOL Insurance; Sodexo; Hinman Straub; Preferred Therapy Solutions; HCS; LECESSE Construction; Aspire Advisors, LLC; ProCAre Long Term Care Pharmacy; Souders Promotions and Omnicare Pharmacy Services.
In addition, thank you to our tee sign sponors: ArchCare MCO; Bristol Home & Bristol Village; Carl S. Young Consulting; Dentserv; Episcopal SeniorLife Communities; Good Shepherd Communities; ebrew Hospital Home of Westchester, Inc., IM Solutions Inc.; KD-Architects; Labor Cost Management; Mertz-Hart & Associates and Executive HealthSearch; Purcell Construction Corporation; SigmaCare; United Presbyterian & Reformed Adult Ministries; Wirthwein Marketing.
This year, we had a record 134 golfers! There were 117 participants on the 18-hole course and 17 on the 9-hole course. Save the date… Next year’s tournament will be held on Mon., May 18, 2015.