LeadingAge NY Successfully Advocates for ACFs to Receive Tests and Continues to Urge for Funding

LeadingAge NY is pleased to report that the Department of Health (DOH) has been sending rapid at-home tests to adult care facilities (ACFs) and is continuing to send tests to nursing homes as well. LeadingAge NY had advocated, along with other associations, that ACFs receive tests. Nursing homes will receive one million test kits and ACFs will receive 500,000, and every facility will get them. Some facilities inadvertently will receive a double shipment; those facilities will get a reduced amount or no shipment next time. DOH will continue making deliveries while supply lasts, but they do not know what the supply will be.

The tests are Clinitest rapid at-home test kits, and they can be used for any needed purpose; however, nursing homes should make sure that they have some set aside for visitors. The Department has indicated that if an individual tests themselves, these tests do not need to be reported to the Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS) or to the Health Emergency Response Data System (HERDS). If the facility has a limited service laboratory license and conducts the test, they must report it as they would any other COVID-19 test.

LeadingAge NY also continues to work with our association partners to urge for ACF COVID-19 relief in the New York State budget. This letter was recently sent to the Governor and is a key ask within our budget advocacy. LeadingAge NY members should be raising this in your discussions with legislators over the weeks to come. It is critical that your representatives understand the financial impact the pandemic has had on your organization.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828