In May, HCAOA and NAHC (National Association for Home Care and Hospice) announced the formation of the Home Care Workforce Action Alliance to make recommendations to address the critical home care aide and nurse workforce shortage. “We’re looking for a small group of HCAOA members along with NAHC members who are interested in developing concrete recommendations that will address the workforce shortage,” said HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak.
1 Comment
Last week, the Biden Administration announced that more than $40 billion in American Rescue Plan funds have been committed to strengthening and expanding the nation’s workforce, including $9 billion for the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) workforce.
Late last month, the Connecticut Department of Social Services proposed a rate increase designed to offset the increase in the state’s minimum hourly wage in the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE). According to a Notice of Proposed Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA), DSS submitted the SPA to CMS, effective July 1, 2022, to increase the rates by 5.2% for various specified codes within the state plan home and community-based services option under section 1915(i) of the Social Security Act portion of CHCPE.
The deadline to nominate a caregiver for the 2022 Caregiver of the Year Award has been extended to THIS FRIDAY, July 22 at midnight. HCAOA encourages EVERY ONE OF OUR 4,089 member agencies to nominate at least one caregiver so we can truly honor thousands of the best caregivers across the country who provide care and services at home. They deserve this honor for their compassion, commitment, and excellence!
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) will hold a stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to discuss the licensure of Home Health Agencies and Non-Agency Providers starting October 1, 2022.
Essential Support: State Hazard Pay and Sick Leave Policies for Direct Care Workers During COVID-197/20/2022 A new report released last week by PHI found that while 24 states and the District of Columbia supported direct care workers with hazard pay and/or paid sick leave policies during the first 18 months of COVID-19, 26 states did not. This report details findings from a recent study by PHI on hazard pay and paid sick leave policies enacted across all 50 states and DC from March 2020 to August 2021 (the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic). The purpose of the study was to document how states responded to the challenges faced by direct care workers and other essential workers during one of the most devastating health crises in recent history—and to generate lessons for the future. Elected officials who vote on legislation that impacts our industry, our businesses and our clients’ lives often have little understanding of the value that home care provides to millions of older Americans and people with disabilities. HCAOA is launching the national “Bring the Vote Home” campaign to educate lawmakers by inviting them into the homes of our clients (their constituents!) to learn first-hand how home care makes such a profound difference in the lives of those who rely on it. All members are encouraged to participate in this initiative – HCAOA has made it easy for you with a step-by-step guide to identify and contact lawmakers, issues to discuss, and follow up when the visit is complete.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a NON-PARTISAN, INFORMATIONAL effort to ensure members of Congress understand the needs of this country’s growing elderly population and their desire to stay at home as they age. Click here to get started. In December 2021, Lamb Little & Co. merged with California-based Inszone Insurance Services, (inszoneinsurance.com) expanding their ability to deliver an array of insurance programs and risk management advice to HCAOA members. Lamb Little & Co is one the longest tenured Insurance agency members of the HCAOA and have been frequent presenters at national and state convention meetings and webinars.
A reminder to all New York members that effective October 1, 2022, the hourly minimum wage for home care aides will increase by $2.00 to $17.00/hour. The wage parity benefit portions remain at $4.09 (New York City) and $3.22 (Long Island and Westchester).
EEOC Updates COVID-19 Guidance, Potentially Limiting Employers’ Ability to Screen Employees7/20/2022 On July 12, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission updated its COVID-19 FAQs, with specific emphasis on viral testing, antibody tests, and other issues relating to workplace safety. The agency’s update arrives as the nation continues to wrestle with substantial community spread of COVID-19, and new and more contagious variants of the virus are emerging here and around the globe.
|
Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
Upcoming Events |
Phone: 202-519-2960 | 444 N. Capitol Street NW, Suite 428 | Washington, DC 20001
info@hcaoa.org | sitemap © 2024 Home Care Association of America. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Refund Policy |
|