Legislative Bulletin: Now is a crucial time for advocacy

Register now for March 4 Home Care Advocacy Day
LeadingAge New York will host an Advocacy Day on Tues., March 4 for home care members. We will meet with key lawmakers, central staff and regulators to discuss budget proposals related to wage parity, UAS-NY, the Capital Restructuring Financing Program, as well as the implications of the recent Dear Administrator Letter related to managed care contracting with home care agencies (Conditions of Participation). Click here to register - materials are forthcoming.

Save the date: April 28 ACF/AL Advocacy Day
LeadingAge New York will host its annual Adult Care Facility/Assisted Living Advocacy Day on Mon., April 28. Please keep an eye on your inbox for registration information.

Advocacy Action Alert!
Today is February Friday Lawmakers have been on break this week and will return on Tues., Feb. 25 to begin negotiations on a final budget – this is a crucial time for advocacy. The Legislature, upon their return to Albany, will work to reach consensus on revenues, with a consensus expected to be announced on March 1. The Senate and Assembly are scheduled to pass their one-house budget bills on March 12, which will reflect each houses’ priorities for the final budget, followed by the convening of Joint Budget Conference Committees.

To ensure providers’ priorities are included in one-house budget bills, and ultimately a final budget, we must ramp up our advocacy efforts. For your convenience, we have developed five budget-related letters that are located below and on our Legislative Action Center to send to your lawmakers. Please take five minutes out of your day and urge your colleagues and those you serve to join in on this crucial advocacy initiative.

Support and Restore Funding for Assisted Living: Urge lawmakers to restore funding to historic levels for EQUAL and Enriched Housing and ensure past EnAble and QUIP funds are distributed; extend Capital Restructuring Financing to assisted living providers; and provide funding for UAS-NY implementation.
Support NY’s Home Care Providers: Urge lawmakers to provide adequate funding for the “Wage Parity” mandate; adequately fund managed care contracts with home health services; extend Capital Restructuring Financing to home care providers; and provide funding for UAS-NY implementation.
Support Plans and Providers Through the MLTC Transition: Urge lawmakers to ensure adequacy of premium rates; adequately fund managed care contracts with home health services; provide adequate funding to cover the “Wage Parity” mandate; and provide funding for UAS-NY implementation.
Support Funding for Affordable Senior Housing: Urge your lawmakers to support funding initiatives that are proposed in this year’s budget proposal, and educate them about the need for additional senior housing in New York.
Protect New York’s Nursing Homes: Urge your lawmakers to adjust the Medicaid Global Cap and reject the standard wage mandate and CMI cap.

Since February Fridays began on Feb. 7, only 167 letters have been sent – please help ensure our budget priorities are included in a final budget by contacting your lawmakers immediately. If you need assistance with this advocacy opportunity, please contact Alyssa Lovelace.

Submit your nomination for the Leading Age New York Awards Program today!
Today is the deadline to submit your nominations for the 2014 LeadingAge New York Annual Awards Program, including the Employee of Distinction Program. If you have outstanding people working for your organization, please take action today and recognize your stars! Employees of Distinction are honored by the New York State Legislature through a Resolution, and LeadingAge New York staff along with your local representatives will come to your program/facility to personally deliver the award. This is a great opportunity to showcase your organization and your staff to your legislators and your community.

This year also marks the first year that the Innovation of the Year Award will have a separate nomination form. Please remember that all of the LeadingAge New York Awards, including Employee of Distinction, are selected through this call for nominations. Click on the links below for more information and to nominate your employees. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Nancy Caban at 518-867-8383.

The PAC Golf Tournament is back!
The annual LeadingAge New York PAC Golf Tournament is back at Saratoga Spa Golf Course on Mon., June 16. Shotgun start will be at 12:45 sharp! In addition to the PAC’s traditional 18-hole tournament, we will once again host a pro-clinic and 9-hole tournament for those who have not golfed with us in the past or want to try out the sport. Register now!