Authorizes the commissioner of health to adjust medical assistance rates of payment for certified home health agencies, managed long term care plans, hospices, long term home health care programs, licensed home care services agencies and other entities for recruitment, training and retention of direct care workers for services in shortage areas and by shortage disciplines.
Provides for coordination between the department of health and the state long-term care ombudsperson regarding residential health care facilities, including such facilities' compliance with state and federal law, and histories of complaints.
Repeals managed long term care provisions for Medicaid recipients; establishes provisions for fully integrated plans for long term care including PACE and MAP plans.
Requires the department of health to conduct 40% of its inspections on nursing homes outside of business hours; requires department of health inspections of nursing homes to be conducted without prior notice to a nursing home; requires an annual nursing home inspection report.
Ensures that public retirees are not having their skilled nursing care benefits reduced under the state health benefit plan at the time they enroll for medicare.
This bill (S 1396) requires background checks for maintenance employees at assisted living and residential health care facilities. It defines "maintenance employees" broadly to include janitors, security, groundskeepers, and similar staff (excluding volunteers), and mandates that the Department of Health access their criminal history records. Courts must notify the health department within 7 days of any criminal conviction related to job duties. The bill also allows temporary hiring during background checks, requiring facilities to conduct direct observation of these workers until results are received. The bill is pending in the Health committee (referred January 9, 2025).
This bill (A 6630) creates the "Expanded In-Home Services Funding Act" to increase state funding for in-home care services for elderly residents. It allocates $42 million specifically to eliminate waitlists for essential services like meal delivery, housekeeping, personal care, and transportation, while ensuring counties have resources to meet growing demand. The bill establishes a five-year pilot program to test new service models (including tele-health and volunteer transportation networks), with a designated portion of funds prioritized for rural counties facing the highest need. Annual reports will track fund usage, waitlist reductions, and improvements in senior well-being, as required by the bill's provisions.
Includes certain out of home services such as transition from a hospital, nursing facility or other institutional setting to the home within home care insurance coverage.
This bill (S 6981) creates annual state funding to support certified home health agencies providing in-home care and hospice services. It directs funds to help agencies meet community needs, particularly for underserved areas, high-need populations, and specialized staffing (like home health nurses). The funding mechanism uses a formula based on population size (25 cents per capita per region or $200,000, whichever is greater) and requires agencies to apply for grants demonstrating service to underserved communities. Funds must be used for specific purposes: expanding access, supporting recruitment/retention of staff, and implementing technology to improve service delivery. The bill directly affects certified home health agencies eligible to apply for these grants.
This bill requires health care facilities (excluding hospitals) like home care agencies, hospices, and health maintenance organizations to create written policies for identifying, assessing, and referring suspected domestic violence victims. It mandates staff training for clinical and security personnel and directs facilities to coordinate with local domestic violence victim assistance organizations. Facilities must inform victims about available support services and arrange for advocates if requested. The law applies directly to covered health care providers and their staff, aiming to improve response to domestic abuse cases within these settings.
