Budget for 2016-17 Finalized, LeadingAge NY Releases Comprehensive State Budget Analysis, Nurse Staffing Ratios Bill Update, Two Upcoming Advocacy Days
New York State Budget for 2016-17 Finalized!
Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders were able to come to a final agreement on outstanding issues during the waning days of the state’s fiscal year to pass a state budget on time. The budget agreement included $18.5B for Medicaid, a raise in minimum wage across the state, paid family leave, middle class tax cut, support for schools and education, and infrastructure spending. The Governor’s full press release can be viewed here.
Throughout the process, the governor had made increasing the minimum wage and providing 12 weeks of paid family leave a priority and issued a press release specifically on these provisions that is available here.
President Obama also issued a press release, commending Governor Cuomo and the New York Legislature for enacting these provisions. The President’s press release is available here.
LeadingAge NY Releases Comprehensive State Budget Analysis
The New York State Budget was passed on April 1st, the first day of state fiscal year 2016-17. LeadingAge New York has prepared its annual detailed summary of the final budget, which is now available by clicking here. The report summarizes a number of issues of broad importance to LeadingAge NY members; provides an analysis of budget provisions by service line; and compares the Executive Budget to the final budget by functional area.
LeadingAge NY worked on several issues during the budget process and was able to advance key objectives, secure revisions to some budget proposals and successfully oppose other proposals that would have adversely affected member organizations and the services they provide. Our success would not have been possible without the continued advocacy support provided by the membership. We greatly appreciate members’ participation and ongoing engagement, particularly as the legislative session continues and attention turns to programmatic issues. LeadingAge NY members are encouraged to thank their legislators for the favorable state budget outcomes we collectively realized.
Nurse Staffing Ratios Bill Update
The A.8580-A (Gunther) Nurse Staffing Ratios bill was voted on in the Assembly Codes meeting on Tues. and Assemblymembers Schimminger and Giglio voted in the negative. The bill was reported to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
Just because the budget is over, doesn’t mean we aren’t taking action! Please let your lawmakers know that you oppose this irresponsible mandate on nursing homes. If you have taken action already, please take additional action on our campaign by texting RATIOS to 52886 and email, tweet, Facebook message or call your lawmakers today!
LeadingAge NY Planning CCRC Advocacy Activities
Spearheaded by its Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Cabinet, LeadingAge NY will be holding an advocacy day in Albany on May 4th to discuss key issues affecting CCRCs. Together with our staff and outside lobbyists, the group is planning to meet with state agency officials, legislative committee chairs and central staff to discuss the LeadingAge NY proposed CCRC revitalization legislation, proposed nurse staffing ratios in nursing homes, and the role of the nurse in Adult Care Facility (ACF) and Assisted Living (AL) settings. The overall objective is to eliminate current barriers to the development, expansion, and efficient operation of CCRC communities in New York. Member CCRCs are also planning advocacy activities with their own state legislators in the districts before and after the Albany advocacy day.
Adult Care Facility/Assisted Living Advocacy is Coming Up!
On May 10th, LeadingAge NY will be holding its annual ACF and AL advocacy day. Members are encouraged to come to Albany to advocate on key ACF/AL issues; click here to register. Key issues that will be addressed during this event include:
- Enabling ACF and AL settings that employ nurses, the option to have nurses perform nursing tasks and;
- the need for an increase in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) next year, given that the increase was not included in the final budget agreement. It should be noted that the Senate had included an increase in SSI in their budget proposal. We appreciate their support on this issue, and their continued work on our behalf. We have also updated our advocacy letters on our website, which we encourage everyone to continue to advocate on. Don’t forget, even if you have sent an email, you can still advocate by tweeting and posting on Facebook to your legislators.
During advocacy day, we will also have the opportunity to meet with Department of Health (DOH) representatives. The formal program will begin at 10:30 a.m.; however, Assisted Living Program (ALP) members are invited to participate in a meeting with DOH regarding ALP-specific issues. We will reach out to those members that register for Advocacy Day to provide more details.
We will also meet later in the day with other DOH representatives on broader ACF/AL issues. Click here for information about location and parking. Please note that LeadingAge NY will be scheduling the meetings with key legislators. More materials will be available shortly.