​Home care industry leaders and HCAOA members in Washington met last week at the state chapter conference in Seattle to receive updates on several issues impacting the home care industry. State surveyors Lori Heiner and Annalisa Atienza provided detailed insight on surveys and Leslie Emerick, state lobbyist for the chapter, offered a recap of legislative and regulatory activities over the last five months.  

​Tomorrow from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., EST, home care providers are invited to join the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services’ partner Myers & Stauffer to learn about the cost reporting process as the project to set Medicaid services rates for waivers begins on May 25, 2023. 

The HCAOA West Virginia Chapter is submitting comments on the draft Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) Manual and asks members to review the proposed manual and share their comments and concerns be sent to info@hcaoa.org no later than May 26, for adequate time to compile all comments. 

​Several members and representatives of HCAOA Connecticut gathered at the state Capitol in Hartford last week to present Outstanding Leadership Awards from the Chapter to two state legislators that were not able to be presented in person over the past several years due to the pandemic.
 
Sen. Joan Hartley of Waterbury received the 2020 Outstanding Leadership Award and Sen. Derek Slap of West Hartford received the 2021 Outstanding Leadership Award.
 
The 2023 Outstanding Leadership Awards will be presented during the Connecticut Chapter Conference on Wednesday, June 14.

Sweeping changes for private employers with 25+ employees fell into place when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a new immigration bill (SB 1718) on May 10, 2023. 

​The New Jersey Workers’ Bill of Rights and other legislative policies have been challenging for the home care industry climate in the state, so where do things currently stand? Find out at the New Jersey Chapter Conference, on Thursday, June 1, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

​The Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) Manual governs West Virginia’s Medicaid program, rates, eligibility and other details and it is currently open for comments.
 

​Last week, more than 100 home care providers attended the Illinois Chapter Conference in Chicago and received updates on federal and state legislation, labor laws and state regulations for home services agencies.  

Operations in home care were significantly changed with the stroke of Governor Kathy Hochul’s pen at the beginning of May with the signing of the 2023-2024 New York State Budget. With these new changes, it is critical for home care providers to remain up to date with the latest information on the minimum wage, wage parity benefits, and new oversight standards.

The Connecticut DCP’s insistence upon banning the word “care” for home care providers and their caregivers has raised the ire of providers, legislators, and organizations around the state. Come to the Connecticut Chapter Conference, on Wednesday, June 14, to learn more about the ban and how HCAOA plans to step up the fight against it.
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​With so much activity related to home care policy happening in Hartford, Connecticut Chapter Lobbyist Matthew Hallisey has provided the following updates:  

​Last Wednesday, nearly 60 Arizona Chapter members from around the state met to discuss a variety of business opportunities and challenges facing home care in the state. It was an excellent event with positive feedback shared by many attendees. Many thanks to HCAOA Board member and Chapter Vice Chair Sara Wilson for sharing the photos below!

​​Last Tuesday, dozens of members of the Ohio Chapter met at Wesley Glenn Retirement Community, in Columbus, for the Ohio Chapter Conference to network, learn and build their home care businesses.

​While officials from the State Health Department were unable to attend the meeting to update members on the progress of issuing licenses to home care agencies, they did send an update on where license applications stand today. 

​HCAOA is working with ODH to schedule another time for officials to speak with members. Any questions regarding the update should be forwarded to vicki@hcaoa.org no later than May 18.

If you have not registered for the Washington Chapter Conference on Wednesday, May 17, here are 3 reasons to sign up now.