Legislative Bulletin: New 'February Friday' Letter Available

LeadingAge NY Testifies at Assembly Hearing on Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes
LeadingAge NY Policy Analyst and Long Term Care Consultant, Michelle Synakowski, provided testimony on the use of antipsychotic medication in nursing homes on Wed., Feb. 18 at an Assembly Health Committee hearing in New York City. The purpose of the hearing was to give representatives of residents, families, advocates and providers the opportunity to voice their observations and recommendations in relation to the appropriate and inappropriate use of these drugs. LeadingAge NY testified on the following key points:

the decline in antipsychotic medication use among non-profit nursing home providers;
efforts by LeadingAge NY member facilities to reduce usage and initiate non-pharmacological therapies;
appropriate usage of antipsychotic medications to alleviate severe distress commonly associated with dementia; and
the potential to misinterpret data and other findings on antipsychotic use in nursing homes.

The Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC), whose recent report outlines “alarming above-average” antipsychotic drug usage rates in areas of the State and in nursing homes, testified at the hearing, along with several other organizations. LeadingAge NY was the only organization that represented providers at the hearing. LeadingAge NY’s testimony is available here. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Michelle Synakowski at 518-867-8383.

IDC Releases Housing Initiatives
Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) Leader State Senator Jeff Klein presented the IDC’s housing agenda to members of the New York Housing Conference at an event on Thursday. LeadingAge NY’s Housing Policy Analyst, Ken Harris, attended the event. The presentation outlined the current state of housing in New York City and across the State, and included the IDC’s agenda to fund and increase construction of new affordable housing units for middle-income and low-income New Yorkers. Proposals include a Mitchell Lama 2020 agenda, Middle Income Housing Tax Credit and Public Housing Revitalization Plan and Senior Housing Capital Investment. Click here to learn more about the IDC’s housing agenda.

Advocacy Alert! Legislators Return to Albany on Tuesday to Begin Budget Negotiations
Lawmakers will return to Albany on Wed., Feb. 25 and Thurs., Feb. 26 following a week-long recess. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Heastie announced a “joint legislative budget schedule" in order for the State to pass an on-time, Wed., April 1, budget. We urge members, during these critical weeks of budget negotiations, to take part in February Fridays – letter writing campaign days – and take action on the following budget priorities:

If you have any questions or concerns about these advocacy initiatives, or would like to learn more about LeadingAge NY’s other budget priorities, please contact Alyssa Lovelace or Ami Schnauber.

Did You Miss the Audio Conference on E-prescribing?
Earlier this week, LeadingAge NY hosted a conference call on Electronic Prescribing in Long Term Care. The session reviewed the basic principles of electronic prescribing, I-STOP (Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing), as well as discuss the workflow challenges that long term care facilities, assisted living and home and community based services are facing when prescribing both legend and controlled substance prescriptions and taking verbal orders. If you were unable to participate in the audio conference, it is available for purchase here.

The legislation (A.4274 (McDonald)-S.2486 (Hannon)) that would extend the implementation date of the e-prescribing mandate to March 27, 2016 has already passed the Senate and has now been placed on the Assembly Calendar for next Wednesday to be debated and ultimately passed. Members are encouraged to contact their lawmakers, urging them to support this important delay to the e-prescribing mandate and to ensure that long term/post-acute care providers have access to capital to improve their health information technology capacity.

Register for the 2015 PAC Golf Tournament, Today!
The 2015 PAC Golf Tournament will be held on Mon., May 18 at Ballston Spa Country Club. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are now available online. Join us for breakfast and contests beginning at 10 a.m., followed by an 18-hole tournament and driving range and pro-clinic for those who just want to do a bit of practicing. We’ll meet at the 19th hole for a reception and prizes! Not a golfer? Not to worry, you can make your PAC contribution here.

Call for Nominations: LeadingAge NY Awards Program
LeadingAge NY is now accepting nominations for the 2015 LeadingAge NY Annual Awards Program and Employee of Distinction Awards. Recognize the people in your organization and in the field working hard to make life better for aging services in New York State. The Employee of Distinction Awards are a great opportunity to recognize front-line staff and connect with your legislators who will pass and then present a Legislative Resolution in their honor. Deadline for applications is next Wed., Feb. 25. Click here for more information and to download the brochure and nomination forms.

Contact: Alyssa Lovelace, alovelace@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8844