Legislative Bulletin: Governor Releases Executive Budget

Governor Releases Executive Budget Proposal
Gov. Cuomo presented his $137.2 billion state budget earlier this week, allowing for a 1.7% growth in total spending, 3.8% growth in Medicaid spending and advancing a $489 million tax cut package. The budget also proposes significant new capital initiatives, including a $2 billion Smart Schools bond act and a $1.2 billion capital program to modernize health care facilities. The governor called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve the state for its $10 billion Medicaid waiver. The money, if approved, would go towards the state’s Medicaid initiatives, such as a plan to address downstate hospitals currently facing closure as well as the transition to mandatory managed care. The waiver, which has been under review for the past 18 months, is expected to save the federal government $17 billion over five years. Click here to read LeadingAge New York’s initial summary of the governor’s proposals. A more thorough analysis of the budget proposals will be sent to members early next week followed by a number of advocacy materials to help you to get engaged in the budget discussion.

Register for Advocacy Day and Begin Scheduling Legislative Meetings
Now that the governor’s budget has been released, we are beginning to put together materials for our annual Advocacy Day. There are a number of key issues we need your advocacy on, including funding for wage parity, a proposed unfunded mandate on standard wages in nursing homes, ensuring that the new investments in affordable housing are targeted to seniors, ensuring new health care capital investments are available for nursing homes, home care, assisted living and IT projects – just to name a few! We hope that you will help ensure that seniors and aging services are properly represented in this year's budget by participating in the LeadingAge New York/Adult Day Health Care Council Annual Advocacy Day on Tues., Feb. 4. Click here to register. Once you’ve registered, please begin scheduling meetings with lawmakers. For your convenience, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to assist you with scheduling your legislative meetings. All advocacy materials including Issue Briefs and Talking Points will be posted on the Advocacy Day website next week. If you would like assistance with scheduling legislative meetings, have difficulty with registration or need specific accommodations, please do not hesitate to contact Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8844.

Legislative Update
Legislation has been moving rapidly since the start of session. Below is a list of bills that have gone through committee this week or were amended. All of LeadingAge New York’s priority legislation and their corresponding memos of support or opposition can be found on our Legislative Action Center.

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

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.
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.

Placed on the Assembly Health Committee Agenda for Tues., Jan. 28:

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.

Placed on the Senate Housing and Construction Committee Agenda for Mon., Jan. 27:

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!

As always, we are here to assist you in your advocacy efforts. For a schedule of upcoming advocacy initiatives, check out our 2014 Advocacy Action Calendar. For more information or to find out how you can advocate on behalf of New York’s seniors and their aging services providers, contact Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8844.

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