![]() In letters sent to Congress last week, HCAOA offered strong support for reintroduction of the Homecare for Seniors Act. The bill will enable home care services to qualify as a medical expense when used in conjunction with individuals' Health Savings Accounts. This legislation will allow working family caregivers to receive the support they need to keep a family member out of institutionalized care for as long as possible.
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Last week, during a Conference Committee session, agreement was reached that the Senate would recede and withdraw its amendment to the Essential Worker Protection Act (EWPA) bill passed by the House. The final bill simply requires a special leave provision for essential workers in a public health emergency, but that requirement to provide additional leave “applies only if the Federal or State government provides funding that can be used for public health emergency leave.” ![]() New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently signed into law House Bill 20, the Healthy Workplaces Act. This law, effective July 1, 2022, will require all private employers to provide paid leave to employees that they can use for sick time, safe time, or other reasons for themselves or to care for or assist a broad list of family members. read more ![]() Earlier this week, the White House released state-by-state fact sheets highlighting different aspects of the American Jobs Plan. These fact sheets are the latest in a series from the White House highlighting the benefits of the plan for communities. Additional issue-based fact sheets will be released in the coming days and weeks. ![]() Last week, President Biden unveiled a $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, which would drive $400 billion into home and community based services. The administration said the plan would “solidify the infrastructure for the care economy by creating jobs and raising the wages and benefits for essential home care workers.” The plan would also expand access to home and community-based services under Medicaid. HCAOA Executive Director, Vicki Hoak, was among other industry leaders in her praise for the plan. “We’re very pleased to see President Biden’s support for home-based care – especially his commitment to making certain all Americans have access to affordable care and support in their own homes. ![]() Governor Northam approved a variety of bills and amendments at the deadline for him to act on measures passed during this year’s General Assembly session. The bills will take effect on July 1. One of which included extending paid sick leave to home health care workers. The bill only applies to employers whose workers serve patients enrolled in Medicaid, which amounts to roughly 30,000 caregivers in the state. read more ![]() House Resolution 406, sponsored by Rep John LaHood (R-Valdosta), and an initiative of the Georgia Council on Aging, passed on March 25. The measure urges the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan to recognize the importance of long-term care providers and their direct care workers. The Georgia Emergency Operations Plan is the comprehensive state emergency operations plan developed to ensure mitigation, preparedness, appropriate response, and timely recovery from natural and manmade hazards that may affect residents of Georgia. ![]() Over the past several weeks, HCAOA has worked with state chapters to drive recognition for the direct care workers who have kept the country's most vulnerable populations safe at home throughout the pandemic. Georgia, Michigan, California and Illinois all have passed resolutions to honor these important caregivers. ![]() Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday to give businesses and health care providers that have made an effort to follow COVID-19 protection guidelines some protection from lawsuits stemming from the virus. The legislation (SB 72) is the first passed by lawmakers this session to be signed by the Republican governor, and was a top priority for legislators in the wake of the ongoing pandemic. The law went into effect immediately. HCAOA state chapters in Michigan and California both held successful virtual lobby days this week. Washington held virtual lobby days a few weeks ago, and the Connecticut Chapter has its virtual lobby days coming up in April.
![]() After removing a ban on health care terms in home care agency business names and advertising, the legislature’s General Law Committee approved House Bill 6100 yesterday. The bill requires, among other things, local and national criminal background checks of caregivers, including a search of a multistate criminal record locator by a consumer reporting agency or accredited background screening company. The Department of Consumer Protection agreed to remove the names and advertising provisions after HCAOA Connecticut and many individual HCA owners vigorously opposed them. The bill goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration. HCAOA Connecticut members can discuss this bill and other priorities affecting home care in meetings with their lawmakers at Home Care Days at the Capitol next month. ![]() Yesterday, HCAOA’s Legislative Committee met to discuss federal and state legislative issues impacting home care organizations across the country. Congress passed the American Rescue Plan last week. One aspect of this bill especially important to the home care industry is the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase to 10 percent for states to make improvements to Medicaid home and community-based services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will be holding a webinar on April 7 to talk more about this increase. CMS will send out guidelines to states in regard to the FMAP soon. |
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