Legislative Bulletin: Lawmakers Reach Final Budget Agreement
Lawmakers Reach Final Budget Agreement
Late Friday night, following a series of lengthy and at times tense negotiations, Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders reached an agreement on a $168.3 billion budget for SFY 2018-19. The plan, effective for the period April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019, reflects the eighth consecutive year of 2 percent or less growth in overall spending. Lawmakers had been working around the clock to finalize a deal before the Passover and Easter holidays and finished passing the budget bills early Saturday morning. LeadingAge NY issued a preliminary summary of the final budget on Friday afternoon and will be sending members a more comprehensive analysis later this week. Highlights of the agreement are also outlined in the Governor’s press announcement, available here.
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 members and the individuals they serve. Our success would not have been possible without your continued advocacy efforts. Thank you!
Please Connect with Your Legislators Over April Recess!
With the completion of the budget, lawmakers are now back in their districts for recess through next Fri., April 13th. This is a valuable opportunity to thank them for their advocacy during the budget process, voice concerns about proposals not addressed in the final agreement, and educate them on our other priority issues for the remainder of session. One budget provision of particular interest to LeadingAge NY is the State’s arrangement to collect $2 billion from the sale of Fidelis, a not-for-profit health insurer run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, to for-profit Centene. Provided the sale goes through, the State is expected to receive the $2 billion over a four-year period and can utilize it “as a backstop against potential federal cuts or, should those cuts not materialize, for future health care projects.” Given this broad discretion, LeadingAge NY believes it is important to keep up the pressure on lawmakers on some of the key initiatives that were not included in the final budget.
Please contact your legislators today and schedule a time to meet in their district office or on your campus to discuss the following:
- Affordable Independent Senior Housing Assistance Program: A.10017-A (Cymbrowitz)/S.7866-A (Little) would establish an Affordable Independent Senior Housing Assistance Program to complement the State’s historic commitment of $125 million for senior housing capital and create a cost-effective model for seniors to age in place. Click here for LeadingAge NY’s memo of support and here to encourage your lawmakers’ support for this bill via email, Facebook, and Twitter.
- SSI Increase for ACFs: A.9963 (Brindisi)/S.7743 (Serino), introduced at LeadingAge NY’s request, would increase the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) reimbursement rate for adult care facilities (ACFs) by $20 per day per resident over five years, beginning April 1, 2018. Click here to access LeadingAge NY’s memo of support and here to connect with your legislators.
- CCRC Cybersecurity Regulations Exemption: S.7940 (Seward) would clarify that the cybersecurity regulations adopted by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in March 2017 do not apply to continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). These regulations require most banks, insurers, and other financial institutions within DFS’s regulatory jurisdiction to protect their customer information from cyberattacks and certify their compliance to DFS annually. LeadingAge NY has pushed back strongly against DFS’s interpretation that CCRCs are considered “Covered Entities,” arguing that the requirements would pose an undue financial and administrative burden on CCRCs and could lead to large increases in resident fees. Click here to call your lawmakers and urge their support for this key legislation.
- CCRC Revitalization Act: A.6450 (Schimminger)/S.5172 (Hannon) would reform CCRC laws and regulatory oversight, eliminating many of the current barriers to developing, expanding, and efficiently operating CCRCs in New York State. Click here to access LeadingAge NY’s memo of support and here to contact your lawmakers via email, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Role of the Nurse in ACFs: A.2736-A (Gottfried)/S.4398-A (Hannon) would allow all ACFs and assisted living providers that employ nurses the option to provide nursing services directly. This is vital to prevent unnecessary spending for facilities. LeadingAge NY’s memo of support is available here, and you can urge your legislators' support by clicking here.
- Staffing Ratios: A.1532 (Gunther)/S.3330 (Hannon), the “Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act,” would create specific staffing ratios for nurses and other direct care staff in hospitals and nursing homes at a cost of approximately $1.06 billion to nursing homes statewide. LeadingAge NY is strongly opposed to this legislation and has developed this cost template to assist you in determining its financial impact on your facility. Click here to review our memo of opposition and here to connect with your legislators via email and social media.
LeadingAge National to Host Post-PEAK Lobbying Webinar on Wednesday
Last week, LeadingAge National announced plans to host a special post-PEAK lobbying webinar this Wed., April 4th from 2 to 3 pm. The webinar, which will feature renowned “Advocacy Guru” Stephanie Vance, will cover “how to continue your [PEAK] advocacy efforts from home and create long-term relationships with your Members of Congress and their staff.” Participants will learn “how to put together a winning site visit, where and how to connect with legislators at town hall meetings, and quick and easy social media practices that will keep you on their radar screen.” We hope you will be able to join! To register, please click here.
Assembly Majority Leader Morelle Announces Congressional Bid
Finally, Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle last week announced his candidacy for the 25th Congressional District seat previously held by the late Louise Slaughter. Flanked by Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, Assemblyman Harry Bronson, Monroe County Clerk Adam Bello, and members of Congresswoman Slaughter’s family, the Majority Leader expressed concern about the direction that lawmakers in Washington are taking the country and emphasized the need for a leader who would continue the Congresswoman’s legacy. His campaign will reportedly focus on issues including “universal health care, women’s right to choose, gun violence, economic opportunity for working families, the opioid epidemic, and racial inequality.”
While a primary has been set for Tues., June 26th, Governor Cuomo has not yet announced if a special election to fill the remainder of the Congresswoman’s term will be held before November.
Contacts:
Ami Schnauber, aschnauber@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8854
Jeff Diamond, jdiamond@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8821