Legislative Bulletin: ACF/AL Members Advocate in Albany
LeadingAge NY ACF/AL Members Advocate in Albany
Adult Care Facility (ACF) and Assisted Living (AL) members came to Albany on Tues., April 21 to discuss their regulatory and legislative priorities with key lawmakers and staff. Members met with the Department of Health (DOH) to specifically address enhancing the role of the nurse in ACFs; the upcoming transition of the ALP population into managed long term care, and related needed reforms including an ALP rate update and clarifications regarding durable medical equipment in the ALP; as well as the impact of the federal home and community based settings rule in ACF and AL settings.
Members also met with the chairs of the Senate and Assembly Health Committees; the chairs of the Senate and Assembly Veterans Affairs Committees; central staff for the aging, health and finance committees; and other legislators to discuss the need for an increase in Supplemental Security Income Congregate Level 3 benefits in next year’s budget; EQUAL funding clarifications; the ALP rate update; and the backlog of applications for Aid and Attendance benefits for veterans.
We want to thank all of the ACF/AL members who came to Albany to meet with lawmakers and staff to discuss these vital issues, as well as Hinman Straub, the Association's legislative counsel for their guidance and expertise. LeadingAge NY and Hinman Straub will be following up with DOH and the Legislature, and will report back any new developments. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the ACF/AL Advocacy Day or would like copies of the materials used on Advocacy Day, please contact Alyssa Lovelace or Diane Darbyshire at 518-867-8383.
Nurse Staffing Ratio Legislation Moves Again
Earlier this week, legislation (A.1548 (Gottfried)-S.782 (Hannon)) that would create specific staffing ratios for nurses and other direct-care staff in hospitals and nursing homes, known as the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act, moved out of the Assembly Health Committee and to the Assembly Codes Committee. The bill, which LeadingAge NY opposes, is a top priority for the NYS Nurses Association who were also in Albany on Tues., April 21 with hundreds of nurses, advocating in support of the bill. It is crucial that lawmakers hear from the providers who will be affected by this unfunded mandate, please send an email to your lawmakers now, urging them to oppose this legislation.
Senate Passes Caregiver Act
The Senate passed the Caregiver Advise, Record, and Enable (CARE) Act, earlier this week, which aims to keep individuals in their homes near their loved ones after hospitalization. The bill would provide caregivers with the resources they need to care for older adults and others with long-term health needs. This is AARP’s top priority for this legislative session, and was supported by over 40 organizations, statewide.
Register Online for the PAC Golf Tournament
We are pleased to present you with online registration for the May 18 LeadingAge NY PAC Golf Tournament! This personalized website will offer real time scoring; tournament information; and photo sharing the day of the tournament. In addition, on the day of the tournament, you will have access to an app that you can download to your phone – Golf Genius – which will allow you to upload your scores the day of the tournament, share pictures and see how other teams are doing. Click here to access registration and sponsorship information.
Contact: Alyssa Lovelace, alovelace@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8844