The HCAOA New Jersey State Chapter will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, September 22 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. The meeting agenda includes federal and legislative updates, as well as COVID-19 information regarding vaccine mandates and the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard.
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The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission issued long-awaited initial rules implementing the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act, which Governor Murphy signed on February 22, 2021. The Act legalizes the use of recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21 and creates many obstacles for employers seeking to maintain a drug-free workplace. The new rules deal almost exclusively with the provisions governing the recreational cannabis market, leaving many employer questions unanswered. More than 120 members of the HCAOA Georgia Chapter met recently to get federal updates from HCAOA, state legislative updates from the Chapter’s advocacy leaders, and information about several issues impacting the home care industry from key state officials. Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler spoke to the Chapter, noting that even though Georgia unemployment rates are the lowest they’ve been since before the pandemic, he is aware of the dire situation as home care agencies struggle to hire caregivers to provide care and services to seniors and people with disabilities in their homes. Local media covered the Commissioner’s visit with the chapter, and interviewed Chapter Legislative Chair Dave Lamb, who stressed just how critical this workforce shortage is because people’s health and safety at home depends on agencies being able to provide care. As part of an ongoing effort to support members, the HCAOA South Carolina Chapter is surveying home care agencies to identify the major challenges they are experiencing in providing services. The survey will provide the Chapter with important information to serve as a resource to members and advocate on their behalf. AARP released a new poll of registered voters age 50 and older that shows overwhelming support for providing family caregivers with a tax credit aligning with details of the Credit for Caring Act (S. 1670/H.R. 3321). HCAOA needs your support! Click here to send a message to your representatives urging them to sponsor the Credit for Caring Act. Did you know that September is National Self-Care Awareness Month? Self-care is often neglected, but it is an important part of caregiving. The National Institute on Aging has these tips for caregivers to take care of themselves. Health care worker burnout is at an all-time high as the pandemic continues. Last week, HCAOA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division in response to the proposed rule regarding increasing the minimum wage for federal contractors. In the letter, HCAOA requested that the Department provide clarity in its Final Rule that certain home care providers providing care to veterans by way of Veterans Care Agreements with the Veterans Administration or Agreements with the entities operating the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VACCN) are exempt from the requirements of the Executive Order, and that any final regulation implementing the Executive Order makes that exemption explicit. Several state agency officials presented details of the investment plan for proposed uses of the home and community-based services enhanced match, including provider rate increases, to the Aging, Human Services and Appropriations committees last week. Under the plan, HCBS waiver providers will receive a one-time estimated 5% stabilization payment to be paid in the third (current) quarter, which the OPM Secretary said can be used for investments in the workforce (retention bonuses or new hires); 1.7% across-the-board rate increase, authorized under the new state budget, effective July 1, 2021; and supplemental rate funding. Home care agencies are invited to a luncheon program to connect with key state officials in the Department of Consumer Protection. Featured speakers include Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull, Department of Consumer Protection who will present: Registration of Home Care Agencies and Enforcement of Chapter 400o. On August 20, 2021, Governor Inslee issued a revised version of his vaccination mandate. The Proclamation had several revisions of which long-term care providers should be aware. The most important revision addresses the vaccination requirements for contractors. Under the newly-revised Proclamation, the operators of Health Care Settings may elect to require the contractor or the actual company employing the contractor to assume responsibility for the vaccination verification and the reasonable accommodation requirements. The revised Proclamation provides a detailed explanation of the steps that must be taken by contractors to satisfy the proof of vaccination requirements for Health Care Settings. In addition, any Health Care Setting electing to require contractors to assume responsibility for vaccination and accommodation retains the right to investigate the contractor’s compliance and to withdraw the election at any time. HCAOA is excited to announce a new way that BOTH your agency and your caregivers can earn money just by getting vaccinated. HCAOA has partnered with the National Minority Health Association (NMHA) on the Flex for Checks program, with the goal to increase direct care worker vaccination rates across the country. This program seeks to increase the number of caregivers at home care agencies who are vaccinated and is a helpful recruitment tool because it has a cash incentive for workers. Last week, HCAOA members joined members of the Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice to review recently passed legislation to license home care agencies. More than 100 agencies joined the symposium either in-person or on zoom to hear the main requirements for a license including criminal background checks, scope of services and application requirements. Click here to view the licensure legislation.
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