|
  State Advocacy
 Whether it's legislation, the State Budget or regulatory changes, HCA is an active and influential voice in Albany.
HCA's comprehensive advocacy agenda arises from the input of Members in coordination with HCA's expert policy staff who routinely meet with state officials to support, challenge, gain clarification and develop solutions related to home care policies.
Facing more than $100 million in proposed home care cuts in the 2008-09 Executive State Budget, HCA's advocacy efforts this year have focused on the State Budget, though we are also urging action on several legislative priorities.
Thankfully, the Senate and Assembly on April 1 adopted a Health Budget that restores most of the home health care cuts contained in the original 2008-09 Executive Budget proposal.
For more information about HCA's 2008 State Advocacy activities, please visit our 2008 State Advocacy Day Page, which contains links to downloadable issue summaries, quotes from New York's elected leaders and other information.
Here is a snapshot of a few key initiatives we urge the Governor and Legislature to act on this year:
- Restoration of the full trend factor for home care agencies and the premium adjustment for Managed Long Term Care Programs (MLTCs).
- Improve payor integrity and responsible reimbursement through reforms to the managed care system;
- Create a home care capital investment allowance for such purposes as information technology, disease management technology and electronic health records to improve quality and efficiency of care;
- Eliminate or modify the Administrative and General (A&G) reimbursement cap on Long Term Home Health Care Programs and Certified Home Health Agencies which hampers patient care and threatens an agency's financial stability;
- Enhance the long term care system by renewing and strengthening the Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP) waiver and by supporting further improvements in the long term care infrastructure through legislation supported by HCA and several allied associations. Click here to download a joint health care association memorandum of support for S.8092, legislation to enhance and strengthen the LTHHCP;
- Provide grant funding for telehealth development, giving providers an incentive to enhance standard patient care through cutting-edge technologies for supplemental remote monitoring; and
- Support for health care personnel through provider flexibility, health career development, nurse training and education, and nurse faculty recruitment. The Governor and Legislature should also renew its $50 million home care workforce investment — for a combined $100 million state-and-federal match — and $8 million for the rural/non-NYC home care infrastructure investment, also matched by the federal government for a combined $16 million allocation.
HCA & Allied Associations Join in State Advocacy Efforts
HCA frequently joins with allied health care associations in stating a unified position on a number of state issues.
Physician Override in Determining LTHHCP Eligibility: HCA and Allied Associations urge continuation of the physician override of DMS-1 "predictor scores" so that the examining physician can continue to use his or her discretion in determining whether a patient should be eligible for LTHHCP services. Download HCA and Allied Associations' letter to Health Commissioner Daines urging action to preserve the physician override.
Enhancing the LTHHCP: HCA and Allied Associations urge support for S.8092, legislation to enhance the Long Term Home Health Care Program. Download HCA and Allied Associations' memorandum on S.8092.
Registry Bill: HCA and Allied Associations urge state leaders to pass a Health Aide registry bill in order to create a clear mechanism for verification from the state on home health aide credentials.
|
