Legislative Bulletin: Nursing Homes, 1199 SEIU and Legislature Urge Gov. to Provide Medicaid Increase
January 27, 2023
Executive Budget Proposal Announcement Set for Feb. 1st
Governor Hochul confirmed via a press release this week that she will be delivering her State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Executive Budget Announcements on Wednesday, Feb. 1st at 12 p.m. from the State Capitol Red Room. If this address follows standard protocol, the Governor’s announcement will be broadcast live on the Governor’s website, https://www.governor.ny.gov/.
The Executive Budget announcement is typically accompanied by the release of a “Budget Book” that details the proposal, and most importantly, the budget bills. The budget bills are where the exact details of different proposals reside, and how the Executive intends to execute different investments. The budget bills are released before the address, during, or sometimes hours later.
Within a few hours of the release of the Health and Medicaid budget bill, LeadingAge NY will send members a message with our initial impressions of what the Executive Budget provides. Then, our team will begin pouring over the details and nuances of the proposal and use that information to inform a comprehensive executive budget memo for members (Feb. 9), new legislative handouts on budget (Feb. 10) and revised budget advocacy letters for all service lines (as soon as possible).
LeadingAge New York members will be hearing a lot from us on budget updates, etc. over the coming weeks. We thank you in advance for staying engaged with us, and for your work on all the important advocacy to come.
Three Easy Steps to Take Part in Budget Advocacy, Feb 13-17!
We are at the start of another New York State legislative session and state budget cycle, and this year we are aiming to accomplish more than ever before! The state budget negotiations this year will run from Feb. 1st – April 1st. The process will begin with all eyes on the Executive Budget Proposal, expected by Feb. 1st, and will conclude with three-way negotiations with the Legislature and the passage of a final budget.
This year, LeadingAge NY has the goal of connecting with over 100 lawmakers during the first two weeks of February! We know we can succeed in this goal, but we can only do so with the help and participation of our membership.
We are trying to make it as easy as possible for members to participate in 2023 Budget Advocacy. To participate in Advocacy Week, please follow these simple steps:
- CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for LeadingAge NY 2023 Virtual Advocacy Week, scheduled for February 13 – 17.
- Once you are registered for our coordinated budget advocacy efforts, CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR & ASSEMBLY MEMBER to request a virtual/Zoom meeting for Feb. 13-17. As an additional resource for individuals new to advocacy, we have developed this legislative scheduling guide to assist members in setting up meetings.
- Once your meetings are scheduled, please send your meeting details to Sarah Daly at sdaly@leadingageny.org, so that we can track our combined advocacy efforts and support you in your advocacy.
More details on our 2023 Virtual Advocacy Week can be found on our website. In short, LeadingAge NY policy staff will be providing legislative handouts and any other support you need in organizing and attending these important budget meetings.
Additionally, LeadingAge NY will be hosting a Budget and Advocacy Week Prep Call on Friday, Feb. 10th at 11 AM. During this member-focused prep call, LeadingAge NY policy staff will review the Executive Budget Proposal’s potential impact on members, related budget advocacy handouts, and answer any questions members may have. Information to join this special member call is available on the advocacy day website here.
Thank you in advance for your participation in advocacy at this critical time, and please stay connected with us so we can support you in your efforts!
ACTION ALERT: Tag the Governor in a Budget Message TODAY!
We are just a few days away from seeing the Executive Budget Proposal, but we need to keep bringing our issues to the Governor’s attention if we hope to see them addressed in the first draft of the 2023-24 state budget!
With this in mind, ALL LeadingAge New York members are strongly encouraged to post the following social media messages on professional and personal social media platforms over the coming days. These posts can be accompanied by one of the graphics available here, and can be posted on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn:
- Did you know: a typical 200-bed nonprofit nursing home loses $4M a year due to inadequate Medicaid rates? @GovKathyHochul, it’s time to provide a meaningful Medicaid rate increase so providers can keep delivering the high-quality care older NYers deserve.
- Resident Assistance in Affordable Senior Housing is critical to the healthy aging and socialization of low-income older adults. @GovKathyHochul - small, targeted investments like these keep seniors out of higher levels of care and enrich the lives of older adults!
Additionally, LeadingAge New York sent out a tweet and Facebook Message on Wednesday, following a press conference held by the Assembly and LeadingAge NY members. We asked all of our nursing home members and members of the Public Affairs Council to re-tweet and share, to amplify our unified message. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to quickly re-tweet and share the below messages!
RE-TWEET: https://twitter.com/LeadingAgeNY/status/1618278801263284226
If we can effectively harness the power of social media during this year’s state budget negotiations, it is possible we could finally see some meaningful, proactive investment in long-term care and aging in this year’s budget. Thank you for your continued participation in these efforts!
Nursing Homes, 1199 SEIU and Senators Urge Gov. for Medicaid Increase
While LeadingAge NY and our membership have been sending letters to the Governor regarding a 20 percent increase to nursing home Medicaid rates since late November, this week there were several noteworthy letters to the Governor sent my legislative leaders and stakeholder associations.
First, LeadingAge New York worked with 1199 SEIU, NYSHFA, Greater New York, and Southern New York Association on a joint letter urging Governor Hochul to provide a 20 percent increase to nursing home Medicaid rates in the Executive Budget Proposal. The letter was sent today, and is very well-timed as we expect to see the budget proposal on Wednesday of next week.
Additionally, the Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera and the Senate Health Minority Ranker Patrick Gallivan each led their conferences in sign-on letters urging the Governor to provider financial resources and support to nursing homes that are struggling to find staff, raise wages, and re-open nursing home beds. Between the two sign-on letters, a total of 43 Senators signed-on in support of more funding for nursing homes. This is a big accomplishment, and is reflective of all of the advocacy our members have taken part in over the last several months.
Members are strongly encouraged to thank their senators for their support if you see that your senator signed on to either of the letters. A copy of the Majority letter is available here, and a copy of the Minority letter is available here.
Over the next few days, it is critical that we keep the pressure on the Governor. Members are strongly encouraged to re-circulate the following nursing home Medicaid advocacy email letters to the appropriate mailing lists and networks of advocates. It only takes a few minutes for an advocate to contact the Governor via the below links:
LeadingAge NY Members & Assembly Hold Press Conference
On Tuesday, Jan. 24th, several LeadingAge New York members joined together with Assembly Members for a press conference calling on Governor Hochul to provide a meaningful increase to the nursing home Medicaid rate in the SFY 2023-24 Executive Budget. The press event was held at the State Capitol on a busy session day. Assembly Members in attendance included Assembly Member Woerner, who was instrumental in organizing the event, Assembly Health Chair Amy Paulin, and Assembly Members Fahy, Jones, McMahon, Jensen, Lupardo, McDonald, and Lunsford.
The press event made news, particularly when Assembly Health Chair Paulin stated that Medicaid rate increases for nursing homes would be a top priority for her in the upcoming state budget negotiations. Spectrum News and Crain’s each covered the press event, drawing additional attention to the bi-partisan push for an increase in the nursing home rates.
LeadingAge NY will be pursuing additional press strategies over the coming days as we await the Governor’s budget announcement next week.
Jan. 26th Public Affairs Council Meeting Re-Cap & Recording
On Thursday, Jan. 26th, LeadingAge New York held a Public Affairs Council Meeting to take a holistic look at the upcoming state budget process, all of the budget advocacy work already being done, and the important February advocacy to come. We also took the time to discuss recent social media strategies, and ways that members can support the social media activity of one another to help amplify our unified message.
Thank you to all of our Public Affairs Council Members that were able to join our meeting yesterday afternoon! For those that were not able to join yesterday’s meeting, a recording of the meeting is now posted on the Public Affairs Council website here. Additionally, we have a few action items that we hope all members of the council, and our membership at large, will consider taking part in:
- Please register for 2023 Budget Advocacy! This registration form will inform how LeadingAge NY can support and track member budget advocacy over the coming weeks. Meeting with legislators in mid-February is critically important!
- Share your social media websites/handles! This form is intended to help LeadingAge NY members friend/follow one another’s social media accounts. Following other members and being aware of their social media activity will make it easier to share/re-tweet posts and amplify our unified messages as we work through state budget, legislative session, and the general calendar year as we raise awareness of long-term care, aging, and our issues.
Our LeadingAge NY Public Affairs Council will be meeting once a month throughout the state legislative session. The next meeting is scheduled to be held February 23rd at 3p.m. If you have not received a calendar invitation to this meeting, please make sure you are registered to be a part of the Public Affairs Council here.
Tell CMS You Oppose Federal Minimum Staffing Levels!
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is planning to issue a proposed rule to establish national minimum staffing levels for nursing homes. The long-term care sector is already facing dire workforce shortages, limiting new admissions and forcing organizations to close.
LeadingAge understand the workforce and staffing challenges of our members. We need real solutions that build the domestic and international pipelines for workers, and we need funding increases to recruit and retain additional staff.
Please click here to send an email to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure opposing the adoption of a minimum staffing ratios mandate without the necessary workforce investments and reimbursement levels to ensure that residents and patients receive the care they deserve!
Members are encouraged to personalize the email template by including any information or stories that highlight the impacts of workforce shortages and the proposed rule on your community and its residents.
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 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