One
Voice
2019 Legislative Outlook ...
(Continued from page 39)
Legislation on the State Level
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Role of the Nurse in an ACF: We will be supporting legislation to allow adult care
facilities (ACFs) to directly employ LPNs or RNs to provide nursing services.
Resident Assistants in Senior Housing: We will be supporting legislation to establish
a dedicated Affordable Independent Senior Housing Assistance Program. This program
would bolster New York’s historic commitment of $125 million to senior housing and
create a very cost-effective model
for seniors to age in place, either
While the number of CCRCs has grown
in the new housing constructed
considerably across the nation, only 12
for them or in the preexisting
housing where they reside. The
CCRCs are currently operating in New York.
model would also result in savings
to the State’s Medicaid program
by keeping low-income seniors out of more costly levels of care, such as assisted living or
nursing homes.
CCRC Revitalization Act: We will be supporting the Continuing Care Retirement
Community (CCRC) Revitalization Act. CCRCs provide a full range of services
including independent housing, ACF/assisted living and nursing home care to residents
in a campus setting as their needs change. While the number of CCRCs has grown
considerably across the nation, only 12 CCRCs are currently operating in New York.
Comprehensive statutory and regulatory reforms are needed in order to modernize the
CCRC laws in New York and eliminate barriers to their development, expansion and
efficient operation.
Nurse Staffing Ratios: We are opposing the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act,
legislation that would create specific staffing ratios for nurses and other direct care
staff in hospitals and nursing homes. The staffing standards proposed in this legislation
(upper end of range) would conservatively cost an estimated $1.06 billion to implement
in nursing homes. It would require more than an hour of additional staff time per
resident per day when compared to current staffing. The typical downstate nursing
home would see a $15 per resident day cost increase if it were to increase aide staffing to
meet the standard. For a home serving 200 residents, that would total $3,000 per day for
increased aide staffing. LeadingAge New York’s Staffing Ratios Cost Template will assist
you in determining the financial impact of the proposed legislation on your facility.
Advanced CNAs: We are
advancing legislation that would
We are opposing the Safe Staffing for Quality
establish a demonstration
Care Act, legislation that would create specific
program authorizing Certified
Nursing Aides (CNAs) who
staffing ratios for nurses and other direct care
receive advanced training
staff in hospitals and nursing homes.
to administer medications
in nursing homes under the
supervision of an RN.
Legislation on the Federal Level
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Nurse Aide Training Lockout: We have advanced the Nursing Home Workforce
Quality Act, a bill that would make the nurse aide training lockout discretionary rather
than mandatory, as it is under current law, and restore training authority once the
nursing home is back in compliance, eliminating the current two-year lockout.
(See 2019 Legislative Outlook on page 42)
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Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Fall 2018