2017 Legislative Issues of Importance to NCALA
In 2016, the approved budget for that year provided nearly $4 million in state funding for temporary assistance to adult care homes and facilities that serve Special Assistance recipients, bringing total available funding, including local dollars, to $7.5 million. This equates to a $34 supplemental temporary payment per recipient, but it was NOT an official increase in the Special Assistance rate. (The $34 temporary assistance payments began October 1, 2016, and are due to end no later than June 30, 2017). By no later than April 1, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was ordered by the legislature to submit to the General Assembly a detailed plan for a long-term solution on how to ensure adequate reimbursement to facilities for serving recipients of State/County Special Assistance without increasing the Medicaid eligibility income limit for State/County Special Assistance recipients and thereby expanding Medicaid. During the 2017 session, NCALA priorities will include advocating for a permanent increase for Personal Care Services and the Special Assistance rate for providers, as well as for an increase for resident’s personal funds allowance.
NCALA will also advocate for permanently lifting the Special Care Unit moratorium (Session Law 2015-241, Section 12G.2). Beginning on July 31, 2013, the law ordered the moratorium on DHHS, Division of Health Service Regulation-issued SCU licenses. The moratorium is due to be lifted on June 30, 2017.
Proposed Repeal of Certificate of Need (CON): NC Senate leaders are expected to again push in the 2017 session to eliminate the Certificate of Need program that regulates the placement of new healthcare facilities. After numerous attempts to have the issue voted on in 2016, the effort failed, but there is no doubt that the issue will be brought up again in the 2017 session.
NCALA will also be working in alliance with the NC Coalition on Aging to promote the 2017 Day at the Legislature on April 4, 2017. Anyone interested in joining us at the NC General Assembly on April 4, please
contact Frances Messer.
NCALA is proud to announce the members of the 2017 Legislative Committee:
- Steve Bailey, Ridge Care
- Marc Maready, Ridge Care
- Chris Parker, Vienna Village
- Caroline Hendricks, The Coventry at St Josephs of the Pines
- Torrey Locklear, Fayetteville Manor
- Debra Hart, Morningside of Raleigh
- Mike Pachowski, Brookdale Senior Living
- Susan Kelly, Brookdale Senior Living
- Syndell Lawhon, Brookdale Senior Living