Important ACF AL Initiatives Underway
While summer is often a time for vacation and rest, LeadingAge New York will be busy working on a variety of projects regarding Adult Care Facility (ACF) and assisted living (AL) issues. Here’s a brief preview, along with information about how you can be involved!
First, we want to remind ACF/AL members that we meet with the Department of Health (DOH) on a regular basis to bring forth policy issues, pose questions, and receive updates. Our next meeting is on Thursday, June 25. Please let us know if you have any questions or issues you would like us to bring to the meeting.
We are continuing our regulatory reform work with DOH and other stakeholders, meeting every other week. We are truly delighted that the Department has been willing to work with us to update, consolidate and simplify the complex regulatory structure of the ACF/AL world. We have set up a LeadigngAge NY workgroup to help provide recommendations for the larger effort. This is also a venue for LeadingAge NY to get input on proposals introduced by DOH or other parties. If you are interested in participating in this workgroup or have suggestions regarding regulatory reform, let me know.
In a related matter, the role of the nurse in ACF/AL settings has come up many times during the regulatory reform discussions. LeadingAge New York had developed a proposal to enable the option that nurses working in ACF/AL settings, at the minimum, be able to perform the duties that home health aides can perform in the community. Currently, nurses are empowered to act as nurses only in the enhanced assisted living (EALR) setting. The ACF/AL Cabinet has recommended that LeadingAge New York revisit this proposal and determine if it needs to be updated and revised in the context of present day reforms and initiatives. Thus, we are developing a short-term task force on this issue. Let me know if you are interested in participating.
LeadingAge New York is also looking at the provision of Hospice and Palliative care services across settings. The ACF/AL Cabinet felt that there were circumstances in which it should be easier for residents to access these services and have more positive end of life experiences, remaining in the ACF/AL setting. A short term task force identifying ways in which we can enhance access to theres services in ACF/AL settings is being developed to identify barriers and recommended solutions. Let me know if you are interested in participating.
Lastly, I want to report that we have legislative successes again this year! Two of our three priority bills have passed the Senate and Assembly, and will be sent to the Governor for action. These bills relate to ensuring that EQUAL funds can still be expended in a flexible manner consistent with past practice, and ensuring that opportunities for a streamlined ACF/AL application process are available to not-for-profit organizations with multiple sites. Click here for more information on these important pieces of legislation.
At the time of this writing, the legislation to increase the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rate for ACFs and their residents has not yet passed. Until session ends, we continue to urge members to email your lawmakers now, urging them to pass A.7393-A (Brindisi)-S.5151 (Little). It’s very easy to do, and will take only a few minutes.
We’ve already accomplished a lot! Please work with us to keep the momentum going!
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828