Legislative Bulletin: 2022 Session Concludes and Advocates Gear-Up for a Summer of Advocacy
June 10, 2022
2022 Session Concludes and Advocates Gear-Up for a Summer of Advocacy
The New York State Legislature completed their 2022 legislative work around 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 4th when the Assembly adjourned at the call of the Speaker. As we had reported in last week’s Legislative Bulletin, the Senate completed all of their work on Thursday, June 2nd. While we can never fully rule-out an early return to Albany for a “special session”, it is likely that the Legislature will not be back until January 2023. Especially considering that over the next 5 months, state lawmakers’ attention will largely be focused on primaries and the November general elections.
For now, LeadingAge NY and our members can enjoy a sigh of relief as this was a particularly busy legislative session, with a significant focus on long-term care and aging services. LeadingAge NY will be providing a comprehensive Legislative Bill Summary for our members, reviewing the relevant bills that were passed by both houses and over one-hundred other priority bills that LeadingAge NY tracked and advocated on during the 2022 legislative session. Members can expect to see that summary published and distributed no later than July 1st.
We thank all of our members for your diligent participation in advocacy this year! Since January, our network of advocates have sent over 5,800 emails and letters to lawmakers on key issues, placed hundreds of phone calls to legislative offices, and held well-over 100 meetings with elected officials. We have been blown away by your engagement in advocacy on top of all you are doing for the individuals in your care. Thank you for your engagement in advocacy!
While we celebrate the end-of-session, it is critical that members use the summer months to consider the many ways they can set themselves up for successful advocacy next year. Over the coming months members are strongly encouraged to continue conversations with legislators and continue to keep them apprised of developments in your organization and the challenges you face. Members are encouraged to invite lawmakers to visit your facility, whether it be for a tour or outdoor event. Now that we are entering the summer months and legislative activity has paused, it is critical that we take this opportunity to build and expand-upon relationships with state and local elected officials.
We must ensure lawmakers understand what providers are contending with as we enter the third year of the pandemic with little-to-no support from the State. Lawmakers also need to be continually reminded of the significant workforce challenges across-the-board in long-term care, and how that is impacting your residents, patients, and staff. It is particularly critical that we make this information widely known as lawmakers campaign for primaries and general elections.
As always, please lean on LeadingAge NY as you consider the ways to engage in advocacy over the summer and fall. We are happy to speak with you directly about ways to get engaged and are equally happy to join you for any meetings or events with lawmakers. While this will be the last Legislative Bulletin of the year, we will have periodic advocacy updates in our Tuesday Intelligence publication. Additionally, members are encouraged to check out our Advocacy webpage through-out the summer for updated digital advocacy letters, 2022-23 budget materials, and advocacy and public policy news. We will be keeping our eyes on all state policy and legislative developments, and will let members know as relevant bills are delivered to the Governor for action and if there is any grassroots advocacy needed. Finally, please do not hesitate to reach out to Sarah Daly directly at sdaly@leadingageny.org with any questions or thoughts related to advocacy or recently passed legislation. We are happy to support you in your advocacy efforts!
Your Legislators Could be Changing! Redistricting and Election Update
Over the summer and fall, LeadingAge NY membership is strongly encouraged to continue your education and advocacy efforts with your current state legislators. These efforts are critical to our ongoing advocacy with the Governor, state agencies and as we prepare for next year’s session.
However, as you advocate with current elected officials, it is important to also be aware of the larger political dynamics at play. New district lines have been drawn for Congress, the State Senate and the Assembly; and, it is an election year, meaning that all State Senators and Assembly Members are either running for re-election, running for a new office, or are not seeking re-election.
In short, we encourage our members to advocate with current legislators but remember that after New York’s primary elections set for June 28th and August 23rd, your prospective representatives for 2023 may be changing. Further, members may be contacted by individuals running for office who are not your current elected official, but could be running in what will be your new district once the new district maps take effect for 2023.
Between the redistricting that already took place this year and the election results which we will not know until November, many of our members could have new representatives in 2023. To find your current legislators’ information click here. To view the new, reapportioned district maps for the State Senate, Assembly and Congress, and search your own address within those maps, click here. Additionally, Ballotpedia is a great resource in identifying who is running for election in your districts’ primaries. Of course, if you would like assistance in discerning who is running for election or re-election in your district, please feel free to reach out to Sarah Daly at sdaly@leadingageny.org.
No HERDS Reporting Tomorrow! LeadingAge NY Writes Governor on HERDS Reporting Relief
As members are aware, LeadingAge NY has been persistently advocating for relief from the onerous Health Emergency Response Data System (HERDS) surveys for our nursing home, adult care facility (ACF), home care, and hospice members. Most recently, we issued this letter to Governor Hochul and Department of Health (DOH) leadership recommending that they do away with the regular HERDS reporting for these provider types and instead adopt an “exception reporting” process by which only the most salient data points are collected if and when they occur. LeadingAge NY also outlined a variety of other interim strategies in the event that the State was unable to cease the regular reporting at this time.
We are pleased that one of our suggestions was adopted, and nursing home and ACF providers will experience some relief by no longer having to submit the report on weekends and state or federal holidays, starting tomorrow June 11th. LeadingAge NY understands that this is a small step, but we hope that it will enable our members an opportunity to take a break from work outside of typical working hours, when possible. We will continue to keep members apprised of further developments on this issue in our weekly Intelligence publication.
HOUSING ACTON ALERT: HUD Funding Votes Scheduled
The House Committee on Appropriations has scheduled votes on its fiscal year 2023 HUD appropriations bill. The FY23 HUD bill will be considered in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies on June 23; the full Committee will consider the bill on June 30.
Between now and late June is an excellent opportunity for our members to communicate affordable senior housing priorities to Representatives and the key decision makers and that sit on the full appropriations committee or its HUD subcommittee. It is important to connect with all members of congress, but the Appropriations Committee and HUD Appropriations Subcommittee members, especially, should hear from housing stakeholders NOW.
Please urge your Senators and Representatives to increase funding for affordable senior housing to preserve and expand affordable housing for older adults with very low incomes. Your advocacy matters and your voice makes an impact on these decisions. Please CLICK HERE to send a message to Congress TODAY! Learn more in this article from LeadingAge National.
LeadingAge & LeadingAge New York Coronavirus Resources
LeadingAge NY continues to closely follow all COVID-19 news and we are doing our best to keep members informed of updates, recommendations and guidelines from the Department of Health (DOH).
LeadingAge NY and LeadingAge National Member resources are linked below.
LeadingAge NY Coronavirus Resources
LeadingAge NY COVID-19 Weekly Update calls – Mondays at 11 a.m. Click here to join the call from your computer, android or apple device. Or you can join the call by dialing in: 877 853 5257 (Toll Free); Webinar ID: 852 964 255.
LeadingAge National Coronavirus Resources Page
COVID-19 Group in the MyLeadingAge Member Community
LeadingAge National Coronavirus Policy Updates – Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. Past call recordings are available here and you can register here for future calls.
Contact: Sarah Daly; 518.867.8845; sdaly@leadingageny.org