Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Have Allowed ALP Residents to Access Hospice
LeadingAge NY is extremely disappointed to report that Governor Cuomo vetoed a bill that would have allowed Medicaid-eligible assisted living program (ALP) residents to access Hospice services while living in the ALP. LeadingAge NY worked on this bill to help resolve this long-standing prohibition, which forces an ALP resident to make the impossible choice of ALP or Hospice services in their last weeks of life.
The bill, A.10459-A/S.8353-A, was passed by the Legislature but then vetoed on Dec. 28th. In recent months, we worked tirelessly with several stakeholders to get the bill signed into law. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, who sponsored the bill in the Assembly, tweeted, “Unfortunately our bill was vetoed. This issue will remain a priority next year!” We appreciate the Assemblywoman’s support and plan to continue to try and work with the Department of Health (DOH) to find a solution to this critical issue.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828