HCA Responds to Governor's LTHHCP Proposal

For Immediate Release:

May 19, 2008

Contact:
Roger L. Noyes (518) 810-0665

Download: HCA President Joanne Cunningham's Statement in Response to the Governor's LTHHCP Proposal

A Statement by HCA President Joanne Cunningham in Response to the Governor's Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP) Legislation

HCA and our allied health care associations have worked with providers, the Administration and the Legislature to advance a comprehensive plan for strengthening New York's Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP), which provides an array of in-home health services to thousands of New Yorkers whose chronic health care needs would only otherwise be met in an institutional setting.

Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon has already introduced legislation (S.8092) supported by a broad coalition of statewide health care associations to enhance the LTHHCP. The legislation would update the LTHHCP patient assessment process; improve access and eligibility for high-need patients; create more flexible patient capacity limits in order to meet demand for LTHHCP services; increase operational efficiency; and allow for a broader mix and stronger coordination of services.

Today the Governor has introduced a long-term care program bill containing a proposal to enhance the LTHHCP. We look forward to reviewing the Governor's program bill in greater detail and working with the Administration to ensure that any final measure provides increased flexibility for the LTHHCP and truly responds to the identified needs of LTHHCP providers and patients, as reflected in Senator Hannon's bill, especially as the state prepares its application for renewal of a federal waiver allowing the expanded set of LTHHCP services. The federal waiver process is a critical opportunity to build upon the program's extraordinary potential and inherent strengths.

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