Legislative Bulletin: LANY Releases Comprehensive Budget Report

Governor Approves 2014-15 State Budget

This past Monday, Governor Cuomo approved the State’s $138 million budget, allowing for a fourth consecutive on-time budget. With your help and advocacy efforts, we were able to advance key objectives, secure revisions to some budget proposals and successfully oppose other measures that would have adversely impacted members and the services they provide. For your convenience, LeadingAge New York developed this interactive budget report that outlines issues of significance to members. If you have any questions or concerns about the contents of the document or the budget, please contact Ami Schnauber, Dan Heim or Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8383.

Advocacy Continues…

Thank you to all of those who took part in our Annual Advocacy Day, February Fridays and March Mondays – a total of 391 budget letters were sent members of the Legislature through the Legislative Action Center! Also, thank you to St. Luke Health Services, Bishops Commons Enriched Living Residence, Michaud Residential Health Services and St. Francis Commons Assisted Living Residence for sending a combined 526 letters to their legislators and the Governor. Did your organization take part in a large advocacy initiative? If so, let us know!

The Assembly is scheduled to return to on Monday for session and will return back to their districts until Wed., April 23rd – the Senate has been back in their districts since April 1st and will also return on the 23rd. During this time, we encourage you to meet with your lawmakers or invite them to tour your organization and meet with staff and those you serve – this is a great opportunity to discuss how the final budget will impact your organization and to thank your lawmakers for their work on the budget.

Now that the State budget has been approved, lawmakers will now focus their efforts on advancing legislation, including the following bills that we need your help with:

Continuing Care at Home Contracts (A.4611-B (Schimminger)-S.2118-B (Ranzenhofer)): This legislation that would allow Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) to provide Continuing Care at Home contracts to seniors who live in their own homes, but would like to receive the services provided by a CCRC. The Assembly Health Committee is expected to move this bill through committee next week. LeadingAge New York supports this legislation. Click here to send a letter to your lawmakers, urging them to pass this important piece of legislation.
Nurse Staffing Ratios (A.6571 (Gottfried)-S.3691-A (Hannon)): This legislation would create specific staffing ratios for nurses and other direct-care staff in hospitals and nursing homes. We expect this bill to gain traction throughout the remainder of the Legislative Session. LeadingAge New York opposes this legislation. Click here to send a letter to your lawmakers, urging them to oppose this legislation.

If you have any questions or concerns about these bills, please contact Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8844.

Save the Dates: Three Upcoming Advocacy Days
This year, LeadingAge New York is expanding its service line Advocacy Days to nursing homes, as well. Save the dates for these upcoming Advocacy Days:

Adult Care Facility/Assisted Living Advocacy Day: Mon., April 28th. Click here to register.
Continuing Care Retirement Community Advocacy Day: Mon., May 5th. Registration to follow.
Nursing Home Advocacy Day: Mon., Tues., May 20th. Registration to follow.

Are You Ready for Golf Season?
The LeadingAge New York PAC Golf Tournament will once again be held at Saratoga Spa Golf Course on Mon., June 16th. The 18-hole tournament will begin at 12:45 p.m. and the 9-hole tournament will begin at 3:30 p.m. Not a golfer? The PAC offers a number of sponsorship opportunities, including a tee-sign sponsorship. Click here for registration and sponsorship information. If you have any questions about the golf tournament, registration or sponsorship, please contact Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8844.