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March 17, 2022 update:
From the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State, (CDPAANYS):
Take a moment to call Governor Hochul at 518-474-8390. Press "3", then "2" in order to speak to a live person. From there, it is a simple message:
"Governor Hochul, bonuses for home care are not enough. Please join the Senate and the Assembly and support Fair Pay for Home Care so we can end our worst in the nation home care crisis and make sure home care and CDPA are a real option for the disabled and older New Yorkers who need it."
Call every day. The Governor must hear from New Yorkers about how important this is. And she must hear about it constantly.
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Below is an update from the New York Association on Independent Living, (NYAIL), on how things are looking at this stage of the state budget process.
We’ve put a lot of advocacy in this and it is looking promising thus far. These increases to Independent Living and the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program would be huge. But even more important is the progress on “Fair Pay for Home Care.” That could really be a game changer for people with disabilities who use home care, including those using Consumer Directed Personal Assistance. Fingers crossed! There will be more advocacy coming up. Our North Country legislators, Assemblyman Jones and Senator Steck have emerged as strong voices of support for all of the increases that we are advocating for. I’ll keep you updated.
Robert Poulin
NCCI Executive Director
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From NYAIL on March 14, 2022:
Over the weekend, the Senate and Assembly released their one house budget resolutions. There are just a few weeks left in the budget process where the Executive, Senate and Assembly will have to agree on a final budget.
We have a number of exciting updates below! We are continuing to review the budget bills, but here are some highlights.
Independent Living
The Senate and Assembly both included the Executive’s proposed funding increase to bring the network’s base funding up to $16M.
Health / Medicaid
Fair Pay for Home Care – Both the Senate and Assembly have included Fair Pay in their one house budget resolutions with funding attached! The text is the exact bill language. This is a major win given what a big funding commitment this is. Come to Albany March 22 to help keep up the pressure and ensure we get this over the finish line!
Health care worker bonuses – The Assembly rejected the proposal to create health care worker bonuses. Does accept bonuses for workers in state facilities. Senate keeps the bonuses but expands eligibility to other workers and eliminates the benefits cliff, so it does not impact eligibility for public assistance.
Medicaid Global Cap – Both the Senate and Assembly repeal the Global Cap!
Home care eligibility - The Senate repeals the ADL restriction imposed on home care services under Medicaid. This is the harmful proposal which would make it more difficult for new applicants to qualify for home care.
Equity in Medicaid eligibility for disabled people and seniors – The Assembly and Senate approved the Executive’s proposal to increase income eligibility for seniors and people with disabilities to be equitable with the requirements for the general Medicaid population and to eliminate the asset limit.
Prescriber prevails – Senate and Assembly both restore provider prevails protections.
Kendra’s Law - Senate rejects the Governor’s proposed expansion and extends it for one year. Assembly accepts one of the Governor’s proposals, which allows physicians to testify at hearings virtually. They do not include the more problematic proposals that would have extended forced treatment.
MCO procurement - Senate modifies the Executive proposal to procure Medicaid's managed care program through a competitive bid process by rejecting the procurement process changes but preserving language on access and coverage of services provided by national cancer institute-designated cancer centers. The Assembly does not include this proposal.
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance - The Senate proposes a study, run by the Commissioner of Health, to study the CDPA program. Will look at all aspects of the program, including number of administrators, geographical location, wages and reimbursements, and other supports needed to ensure a continuity of care for all individuals being served. A full study must be completed by December 31, 2023. Current process underway to limit the number of FIs is suspended while the study is being conducted.
Housing
Access To Home- The Senate and Assembly both increased funding for the program by $1M. This would double current funding levels.
Aging
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program - Senate increases funding by $2 million. Assembly provides $15 million in funding! The State normally funds this program at slightly over $1 million for context.
Human Services COLA
Senate proposing additional 5.4% on top of Governor’s 5.4%
Assembly is proposing 11% increase. This COLA does not cover Independent Living Centers.
We now have just a few weeks left in the budget process. Look out for action alerts and plan to come to Albany March 22 to help advance our priorities, especially Fair Pay for Home Care!
Meghan Parker
NYAIL Director of Advocacy
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“We are grateful that our representatives have expressed their support for the funding our community needs to serve all of our people,” says Colleen Downs, Systems Advocate at the North Country Center for Independence. “NCCI continues to expand and build our services to meet the needs of our community and those we serve.”
And here’s another update from NYAIL, March 15, 2022:
Come to Albany to advocate for Fair Pay for Home Care!
On Tuesday, March 22, join NYAIL and CDPAANYS in Albany at the Capitol for a press conference and day of action in support of Fair Pay for Home Care.
The day will begin with a press conference in support of Fair Pay for Home Care with leading champions in the Legislature, and continue as we fan out to make sure that our voice - the voice of those who rely on these crucial services - is heard as the final budget is negotiated.
Let's join together for a huge show of force, bringing everyone together to demonstrate the strength of our community and demand action to ensure we have access to the home care services we need to live active, independent lives in our community!
More details to come!
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If you are interested this or other disability advocacy issues, contact Colleen Downs, Systems Advocate at:
colleen@ncci-online.com
518-563-9058 Ext. 110
The Mission of the North Country Center for Independence is to help people with disabilities to live more independent and productive lives, and promote better policies and community understanding of disability issues. NCCI serves people with disabilities, families, and the community on issues related to physical and mental disabilities. NCCI is led and staffed mostly by people with disabilities. It is one of the 41 Independent Living Centers in New York State. There are also hundreds of similar centers throughout the United States. NCCI serves Clinton and Essex Counties, New York.