HCAOA extends its congratulations to VA Council member Pamela Soni, Director, Managed Care (MCO), BAYADA Home Health Care, who was recognized as BAYADA’s Federal Ambassador of the Year. Doug Robertson, chair of the HCAOA VA Advisory Council, said Soni has been a key member of the Council, “working to improve care for veterans and improve the VA contractor experience of BAYADA locations nationwide,” he said.
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![]() “There is general uncertainty of what happens next,” wrote a New York Times reporter yesterday morning. First, there is the vote needed to increase the debt ceiling, which many are saying is necessary in order for the U.S. to pay its debts, and then, of course, the other hot potatoes are the infrastructure bill and the $3 Trillion plus social safety net plan. ![]() All HCAOA members in Michigan are invited to attend a Chapter Meeting and Capitol Day event on November 3. This is the best way to get involved with advocacy in your state. Hear presentations by state leaders and participate in discussions about the top issues you care about as a home care provider, including Medicaid reimbursement rates, background checks, home care licensure, and the no-fault auto law. ![]() The Connecticut legislature, at the recent call of Governor Ned Lamont, met in special session this week to extend the Governor’s emergency authority through February 15, 2022. This was the sixth extension of the Governor’s emergency powers since March 2020, according to the Hartford Courant. Most of the hundreds of executive orders issued by the Governor since then have expired but about a dozen remain, including one requiring vaccinations for workers in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. ![]() A new report, Medicaid Forward: Long-term Services and Supports, from the National Association of Medicaid Directors, describes the stark realities facing our long-term care system, and opportunities for state Medicaid leaders and their federal partners to respond. The report specifically focuses on how states can use the recent investments Congress made in the American Rescue Plan Act to support this work. In this law, Congress made an initial investment of more than $9 billion to expand access to home- and community-based services and to strengthen the direct care workforce. ![]() This is a big week in Washington as the fate of both infrastructure plans – bridges and roads, and the social/human infrastructure plans – are up for votes. HCAOA’s advocacy efforts have focused on the latter plan proposed by the Biden Administration because it includes, among many other safety net issues, better access to home care; improved wages for workers and child care benefits, which are frequently cited as a cause for home care’s workforce shortage. Should the measure pass in the House it will likely be trimmed down in the Senate as Democrats do not have the votes to pass the measure in the Senate. ![]() ACTION ALERT: HCAOA urges all members to send a message to their lawmakers in Washington, D.C. asking them to advocate for an extension of the employer tax credit which helps cover costs related to COVID-19 sick leave for employees. Currently, home care providers and other employers may receive tax credits for up to 12 weeks of paid family leave provided to employees who are unable to work due to COVID-related issues as listed under the several reasons listed in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). These issues can include taking care of the employee's own health needs or caring for family members. ![]() On September 15, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a split decision partially upholding California’s AB 51, the Anti-Arbitration Law. The Court struck down the criminal penalties but said the law’s restrictions on entering into arbitration waivers of state law claims could be enforced, despite clear Supreme Court authority to the contrary and rulings in other circuits. There is a strong dissenting opinion and this case is likely going to go to the next level. HCAOA will keep members in California updated on this case. ![]() A new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), Bipartisan Solutions to Improve the Availability of Long-term Care, highlights the need for more easily accessible in-home care services for seniors. The report notes the common challenges associated with accessing long-term services and supports, such as the growing cost of care. Good News: Credit for Caregiver Expenses Included in House Ways & Means List of Tax Provisions9/15/2021 ![]() The House Ways and Means Committee has released updated details about proposed tax changes to be incorporated in the budget reconciliation bill, and HCAOA is happy to share that a tax credit for family caregivers - known as the Credit for Caregiving Act as separate legislation - is included in the bill. This credit provides a non-refundable credit, up to $4,000, equal to 50 percent of the qualified expenses paid or incurred by a qualified care recipient during the taxable year through 2025. ![]() HCAOA partnered this week with the Better Medicare Alliance and more than 50 senior health organizations to send a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer to thank Congress for taking steps to protect Medicare Advantage beneficiaries when adding new benefits, such as dental, vision and hearing benefits, and encouraging lawmakers to keep this language in the final bill. Last week, President Biden announced vaccine mandates for workers in “most health care settings” that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement. This includes hospitals, dialysis facilities, ambulatory surgical settings, and home health agencies. HCAOA continues to monitor this development and those of various states to determine the impact on home care agencies providing personal care. ![]() HCAOA is also pleased to report that the House Energy and Commerce Committee included language on private duty shift nursing in the budget reconciliation draft. “HCAOA’s Private Duty Coalition has been working hard to ensure that this highly specialized care provided to medically fragile children at home is available to those who need it,” said HCAOA Executive Director Vicki Hoak. “We will continue to monitor the process of the bill, and continue to advocate for PDN as necessary.” |
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