State Advocacy

As the home care community continues to face the threat of state budget cuts and regulatory changes, HCA is adding these online advocacy tools to help you contact your State Legislative leaders and encourage their support for home health care.

State Senate

Click here to find a list of New York State Senators or to find your Senator by entering your zip code.

Click here to directly contact your State Senator using the Senate's online contact system. Please be sure to fill out all of the requested information and select "Health Care" in the list of Related Issue topics.

State Assembly

Click here to find a list of New York State Assembly Members or to find your Assemblyperson by entering your zip code.

Click here to directly contact your State Assembly Member using the Assembly's online contact system. Please click on your Assembly Member's email to open an email window, which will allow you to contact him or her directly.

Whether it's home care 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 approximately $475 million (state and federal matching shares) in home care cuts and system restructuring proposals in the 2009-10 Executive State Budget, HCA's advocacy efforts this year has focused on budget provisions, succesfully urging rejection of most of the proposed funding cuts and several harmful system-restructuring initiatives. We are also urging action on several legislative and regulatory priorities, including HCA's multipart legislative proposal, the Home Care Accessibility, Efficiency Improvement Act  (HCA-EIA).

October 13, 2009

HCA Launches Enough is Enough Advocacy Campaign

As the home care community continues to face the threat of state budget cuts, HCA has ramped up our advocacy by launching our Enough is Enough campaign.

A focal point of the campaign is our online petition calling on legislators to cosponsor the Home Care Accessibility and Efficiency Improvement Act in place of cuts. HCA has frequently posted additional resources and advocacy action items. Learn more at www.enoughisenoughny.com.

Other State Advocacy Priorities

Here is a snapshot of a few key initiatives that have been the focus of HCA's recent state advocacy efforts.

• 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. (Click here to read about Managed Care Reform Legislation Negotiated by HCA.);
• 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.