Legislative Bulletin: Welcome to the 2014 Legislative Session!

Welcome to the 2014 Legislative Session
The legislative session has officially begun! The governor released his State of the State Address last week, outlining his priorities for the 2014 legislative session and he will release his executive budget proposal on Tues., Jan. 21. Joint legislative budget hearings and negotiations will convene following the release of the executive budget proposal. LeadingAge New York is scheduled to testify at the Health/Medicaid Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Mon., Feb. 3 and submit testimony at the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Housing on Tues., Feb. 4.

Although the state will be operating in a $500 million surplus during the 2014-15 fiscal year, we still have to ensure that seniors and aging services are at the forefront of lawmakers discussions during budget negotiations. We hope that you will help ensure that long term care is 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 between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please refrain from scheduling meetings between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m; this time will be set aside for guest legislative speakers and lunch. For your convenience, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to assist you with scheduling your legislative meetings.

Advocacy Day will begin promptly at 9 a.m. on Tues., Feb. 4 on the concourse level of the Empire State Plaza in Albany in meeting rooms 2 and 3. After registration has commenced on the morning of Advocacy Day, LeadingAge New York policy and government relations staff will review materials with participants during a morning program. Materials, including an issue brief, talking points and parking information will be sent via email to participants the week before Advocacy Day and posted on the Advocacy Day website. If you need assistance with scheduling legislative meetings, have difficulty with registration or need specific accommodations, please do not hesitate to contact Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8383.

Senate releases regulatory reform report
The Senate Majority Coalition issued a comprehensive report earlier this week "identifying 2,219 specific rules, regulations and practices that put New York’s businesses at a competitive disadvantage.” This report is a product of nine industry-specific public forums that the Coalition held throughout the fall and winter months to discuss regulation reform in New York State, and how burdensome regulations impact the state’s economy and job growth. Over 100 business owners, advocacy organizations and individuals participated in the forums, including LeadingAge New York. Click here to read LeadingAge New York’s summary of the report.

Legislative Update
This session we will continue our advocacy on a number of legislative priorities, including legislation on staffing ratios, safe patient handling and continuing care at home. As bills are introduced and moved through committees to eventually be debated and passed or vetoed, we will be calling on members to participate in letter writing campaigns and calling lawmakers. To assist you on the advocacy front, we have once again issued our Advocacy Action Calendar, which lists important legislative dates, as well as our 2014 Advocacy Agenda that lists the association’s priorities for the upcoming year. In the meantime, below is a reminder of what our priority bills are for 2014 and how they may impact you. Please keep in mind that these bills have already begun gaining traction in the Legislature.

Safe Patient Handling Act (A.2180-B (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 our 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. The bill was placed on the Assembly calendar to be debated. LeadingAge New York opposes this bill and urges you to send a letter to your lawmakers opposing this legislation!
Staffing Ratios (A.6571 (Gottfried)-S.3691-A (Hannon)): This legislation that amends the Public Health Law to create specific staffing ratios for nurses and other direct-care staff in hospitals and nursing homes. The fact is that research does not reflect that high staffing levels produce higher quality of care or quality of life. In fact, the only outcome of this legislation will be higher Medicaid costs and less quality of life programming for nursing home residents. LeadingAge New York opposes this legislation and has been putting together an aggressive advocacy campaign on the issue.
Continuing Care at Home (A.4611-A (Schimminger)-S.2118-A (Ranzenhofer)): This legislation will provide affordable, accessible, continuing care services to seniors living at home through their local Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). LeadingAge New York has been working with the Assembly Health Committee Chair to perfect this legislation and is confident the bill will pass both houses this year. LeadingAge New York supports this bill and urges you to send a letter to your lawmakers supporting this legislation!
Criminal history record checks in ACFs (A.5476-B (Cymbrowitz)-S.4926-A (Hannon)): This bill would require the review of the criminal history of prospective employees of adult care facilities. This bill has already been placed on the committee agenda and appears to be moving quickly. LeadingAge New York supports this legislation.

For assistance with these advocacy opportunities or to learn more about these critical pieces of legislation, please contact Alyssa Lovelace or Ami Schnauber at 518-867-8383.

Governor announces new administration appointments
Gov. Cuomo recently made three appointments to the Cuomo Administration including Rose Duhan as assistant secretary for health and Eric Madoff as executive director of the State Insurance Fund. He also nominated Corinda Crossdale as director of the state Office for the Aging. Crossdale’s nomination must be approved by the senate. To learn more about the new appointees and their responsibilities, click here.

Support your PAC!
A well-funded PAC allows us to support candidates and lawmakers who oppose cuts to long term care, senior housing and services, and enables us to be involved in both the legislative and political process. Help us raise our voices in the Legislature by supporting our PAC – contribute today!