Legislative Bulletin: Advocacy Day Materials Available Online

Advocacy Day Materials Available Online
LeadingAge New York/Adult Day Health Care Council Advocacy Day materials are now posted on the 2014 Advocacy Day website. Materials include the agenda; two issue briefs (Support Adult Day Health Care During Transition To Managed Care and 10 Budget Priorities to Support Seniors and Aging Services Providers); talking points; directions and maps. All of these materials, including parking information will be sent to registrants this afternoon. Registration will begin promptly at 8 a.m. on Tues., Feb. 4 in meeting rooms 2 and 3 of the Empire State Plaza, followed by a morning program at 9 a.m. to review materials. For those who missed yesterday’s Budget Briefing and Advocacy Day Prep Call, you may access a recording of the call here. If you have any questions or concerns about the materials, Advocacy Day or yesterday’s budget briefing, please contact Alyssa Lovelace.

Budget Negotiations Begin, Advocacy Intensifies
As budget negotiations intensify, we will begin calling on members to take part in a number of advocacy opportunities. Beginning Fri., Feb. 7, we will once again be hosting February Fridays – asking members to partake in legislative letter writing campaigns each Friday throughout the month of February. LeadingAge New York will supply pre-written letters to members to send to their lawmakers relating to the governor’s executive budget. These pre-written letters will be posted to our Take Action page. In addition to February Fridays, LeadingAge New York will testify at the upcoming Health/Medicaid Joint Budget Hearing on Mon., Feb. 3 and submit testimony to the Joint Budget Committee on Housing on Tues., Feb. 4. For a list of advocacy opportunities, view our 2014 Advocacy Action Calendar or contact Alyssa Lovelace.

Feds Deny NY its Medicaid Waiver
Earlier this week, Gov. Cuomo, legislators and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio once again called on the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department to expedite the state’s $10 billion Medicaid waiver application that has been under review by HHS for the past 18 months. The waiver would further the state’s efforts to transform various hospitals into financially sustainable institutions focused on primary and preventative care. Secretary of HHS Kathleen Sebelious responded to the demands of the governor by denying approval of the application in its current state, but welcomed discussion and further negotiation. We will continue to monitor the progress of the Medicaid waiver and share any new information with members.

Legislative Update and Committee News
Removed from the Assembly Health Agenda:

Nursing Home Diversion Program (A.3139 (Gottfried)): This bill establishes the nursing home diversion program, mandating a minimum staffing level. LeadingAge New York opposes this legislation.

Reported out of Assembly Health and to Assembly Codes:

Mandatory Reporting of Abuse in ACFs (A.525 (Magnarelli)): This bill requires the mandatory reporting of abuse in assisted living facilities and Adult Care Facilities (ACFs). LeadingAge New York opposes this legislation.

Reported out of Assembly Health and to Assembly Ways & Means:

ACF Training Program (A.4467 (Gottfried)-S.1663 (Grisanti)): This bill establishes a training program for direct-care staff working in adult homes and other adult care facilities. LeadingAge New York opposes this legislation.

Reported out of the Senate Housing and Construction Committee and to Senate Finance:

Universal Design (A.7537-B (Lavine)-S.3956-C (Grisanti)): This bill would allow a tax credit for universal design changes to create accessible and adaptable housing, which is important to allow individuals to age in place. LeadingAge New York supports this legislation.

Placed on the Assembly Calendar:

Safe Patient Handling Act (A.2180-C (Gunther)-S.1123-C (Maziarz)): This bill would create a Statewide Safe Patient Handling Policy for all health care facilities in New York State, and requires facilities to establish the Safe Patient Handling Work Group to assist with compliance and training requirements reflecting the statewide policy. While member facilities follow safe patient handling procedures, the bill remains very problematic, and goes as far as opening the door to patient abandonment. The bill could require the use of mechanical lifts in conflict with individualized care plans and would allow non-professionals to override the underlying judgments of nursing and rehabilitative professionals. LeadingAge New York opposes this bill and urges you to send a letter to your lawmakers opposing this legislation!
Death and Felony Crime Reporting in ACFs (A.5147-A (Gottfried)): This bill relates to death and felony crime reporting within a certain timeframe in certain ACFs. LeadingAge New York opposes this legislation.