Legislative Bulletin: Federal Advocacy Alert!
LeadingAge Advocacy Alert! Increase Affordable Senior Housing Funds
Earlier this week, the House Appropriations THUD Subcommittee released its 2016 funding bill, which includes only $414 million for the Section 202 account. The bill drastically reduces the Section 202 account, cutting funds well below the $365 million that is necessary to renew existing PRAC contracts. This bill would devastate programs critical to older Americans and those who provide them with affordable, quality housing. Please email your representatives today, urging them to oppose the THUD appropriations bill unless funding for affordable senior housing is significantly increased.
Priority Legislation Continues to Move
With only 21 legislative session days remaining, lawmakers continued to introduce and debate legislation this week. Among the bills making its way through committees is staffing ratio legislation, which would create specific staffing ratios for nurses and other direct-care staff in hospitals and nursing homes. The bill, known as the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act, was reported out of the Assembly Codes Committee on Tues., April 28 and to the Ways & Means Committee; it has yet to move in the Senate. LeadingAge NY opposes this bill, which if enacted, would cost an estimated $1.06 billion to implement in nursing homes and would require more than an hour of additional staff time per resident per day when compared to current staffing. Please send an email to your lawmakers now, urging them to oppose this unfunded mandate.
Legislation was introduced this week that would allow advanced home health aides to perform certain advanced tasks. LeadingAge NY, along with other associations and advocacy groups, was part of an Advanced Home Health Aide Workgroup spearheaded by the Department of Health between August 2014 and February 2015 in an effort to reach consensus on advanced home health aide legislation. Unfortunately, consensus was not reached and we continue to pursue a workable policy. We will continue to keep members updated on the movement of the bill and any relevant negotiations. If you have any questions about advanced home health aide or staffing ratio legislation, please contact Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8844.
Health Commissioner Approval Expected Next Week
According to next week’s Legislative committee schedule, the Senate Health and Senate Finance Committees are expected to approve Dr. Howard Zucker as the State's health commissioner. Dr. Zucker was nominated for the position by Governor Cuomo in January, but has served as the acting health commissioner for nearly a year, since the resignation of Dr. Nirav Shah. Read more about Dr. Zucker here.
Secure Your Foursome for the PAC Golf Tournament
Spots are filling up quickly for the Mon., May 18 LeadingAge NY PAC Golf Tournament – register online now! If you would like to sponsor the event, there are still plenty of options to choose from – click here to view the possibilities or contact Noreen Hiltsley to create a custom sponsorship. There are many new things in store for this year’s tournament including real-time scoring; a new golf app; chipping contest; and fun prizes given away throughout the day. We look forward to seeing you on the greens!
Contact: Alyssa Lovelace, alovelace@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8844