Last week, Governor Ned Lamont announced that he has signed into law legislation implementing procedures that protect seniors from suspected cases of financial fraud, scams, and exploitation by a person taking care of an older adult.
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WA Cares Fund Premiums Started July 1, 2023, and Quarterly Reporting Begins October 1, 20238/9/2023 The mandatory withholdings for the WA Cares Fund were implemented on July 1, 2023. Originating from the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Act, signed by Governor Jay Inslee on April 21, 2021, this state-operated long-term care insurance initiative requires employers to deduct premiums from their employees' payrolls, unless proof of exemption is provided. The enactment followed amendments outlined in H.R. 1732 and H.R. 1733, signed by Governor Inslee on January 27, 2022, which postponed and modified the withholding until July 1, 2023.
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted last Wednesday to report out H.R. 542, The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, to the full House of Representatives. HCAOA members strongly advocated for a more accurate CBO score – from the original score of $24 billion to the more realistic of $200 million over 10 years – and for allowing veterans to exceed the 65% cap on home care. While this is a step forward, our work continues. Join our effort to get more sponsors on this bill. Contact your U.S. Representative and urge them to speak up for our veterans and sign on as a sponsor for H.R. 542.
The HCAOA needs your thoughts on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs exploration of the use of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for those providing homemaker/home health services. HCAOA will be submitting feedback on behalf of members.
A section of the Veteran Care Improvement Act (S.1315/H.R. 3520) would extend the timely filing for payment from 180 days to one year, a welcome change for many HCAOA members providing care to veterans. However, unless amended, it would not address the back payments owed to home care providers during the transition from the CHOICE program to the Community Care Network.
![]() Last week, HCAOA Board President Jeff Wiberg and CEO Vicki Hoak met with CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to discuss the Medicaid Proposed Rule, which would require 80% of Medicaid reimbursement to go to worker wages. HCAOA was one of four national groups in the meeting, including the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC), and the Partnership for Medicaid Home-Based Care (PMHC). The state of Florida recently enacted legislation that will have a significant impact on employers across the state. Senate Bill 1718 (SB1718), which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law on May 10, requires private employers with 25 or more employees to use E-Verify for all new hires, effective July 1, 2023.
Yesterday, HCAOA was notified that the new CBO score (cost estimate) of the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community-Based Services Act, S.141/H.R. 542, is $200 million over ten years, significantly lower than the initial CBO score of $24 billion. Responding to the new score, HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak said that this is the result of great advocacy work by our members. “As soon as we saw the initial high estimate, we knew something was wrong, and urged the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee to ask for a rescore," Hoak said. "They agreed and while we waited for the new score, our members continued advocating for the Act, which now has 59 co-sponsors on H.R. 542 and 22 sponsors on S.141."
Last week, the HCAOA Michigan Chapter held a virtual legislative update to discuss important issues including plans for legislation to fix the ongoing auto no fault issue in the state, as well as licensure.
Home care agencies in New York should be aware of two items that could impact home care agencies. Both topics will be discussed during the HCAOA New York Chapter Virtual Update today at 10:00 a.m. First, non-compete agreements may soon be unlawful in the state.
Last week, IDPH released proposed rulemaking updates for the Home Health, Home Services, and Home Nursing Agency Code to include requirements for home health and home services agencies with more than one location. The proposed rules impact branch offices, drop-sites, parent agencies, service plans, and service contracts.
On June 5, the Connecticut legislature approved a bill to expand disclosure requirements for home care agencies, such as when a HCA changes service rates or ceases operations. H.B. 6767 concerning licensing and enforcement proposed by the Department of Consumer Protection also requires background checks of certain prospective agency owners.
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