​On July 26, the Ohio Department of Health held a virtual stakeholder meeting to discuss the proposed regulations for the licensure of Home Health Agencies and Non-Agency Providers, which will begin on October 1, 2022. The HCAOA Ohio Chapter had previously sent recommended regulations in March. 

​The Department of Finance has notified California Gov. Gavin Newsom poor economic conditions have necessitated expedited increases to the minimum wage. Changes in the consumer price index (CPI) from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 require the state to bring forward by one calendar year, from 2024 to 2023, the date when the state must annually adjust the minimum wage rate.

CMS released a Request for Information seeking public comment on the Medicare Advantage program. HCAOA will be submitting comments on behalf of members, and all members are encouraged to send comments or feedback to eric@hcaoa.org by August 24.

​Last week, HCAOA launched the Bring the Vote Home campaign designed to educate elected officials about home care 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. Not sure who your elected officials are, or how to contact them? Not sure what to say? HCAOA has you covered…

​HCAOA invests nearly $400,000 every year to retain dedicated lobbyists in 10 states, in addition to our lobbyist in Washington D.C. to focus on national issues impacting home care. We stand by this investment because it is critical to our core mission of advocacy on behalf of members, but we need your help. Members are asked to contribute to the HCAOA Advocacy Fund to help offset the ever-increasing costs of retaining state lobbyists so we can continue to grow state-level advocacy efforts and build upon our successes.

​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. 

​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. 

​Last Thursday, Sami Asaad, partner at FordHarrison, LLP in Hartford and chair of its Home Healthcare Practice Group, presented a Lunch and Learn webinar program for the HCAOA Connecticut Chapter to discuss practical considerations in light of the legislature’s recent ban on non-hire agreements in home care.

​HCAOA stands side-by-side with our more than 4,000+ (and growing!) members every day to advocate for home care businesses, caregivers, and clients. In the past few months, our dedicated team of staff, lobbyists, chapter leaders, and members successfully passed a bill to create home care licensure in Ohio and are at the table to develop the regulations, expanded the scope of services that home care aides in Illinois may provide to clients, and increased the Medicaid rate for home care services in Georgia, South Carolina, and Connecticut, just to name a few.

​On May 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) automatically extending the work authorizations for certain renewal applicants listed on the USCIS website. Normally, the DHS regulations provide an automatic extension of 180 days from the expiry date stated on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The May 4, 2022, TFR increased the automatic extension from 180 days up to 540 days. The primary objective for the additional 360-day extension is to prevent gaps in work authorization due to the USCIS’ significant processing delays for work permit renewal applications.

​HCAOA joined nearly 20 other national associations in sending a letter to Congress in support of the FTC Franchise Rule, which is currently under review. This rule is the primary federal regulation governing franchise businesses, including home care franchises. The International Franchise Association (IFA) supports the rule because it encourages the information sharing necessary for prospective franchise owners to make informed decisions before entering into commercial relationships.

Learn more:
 
June 21 – Members-Only Webinar
Learn about the changes and get a jump start on operationalizing them. Speakers include Adam Guestow, Esq, of Hinshaw and Culbertson, and Mike and Joan O'Brien, Independence 4 Seniors.
 
July 19 – In-Person Chapter Meeting
Get updates on the new regulations directly from Rani Harms MSN, RN, NPD-BC, IDPH Program Supervisor for Home Services/Home Nursing, Division of Health Care Facilities and Programs. 

​The HCAOA Illinois Chapter invites all home care agencies to attend an in-person meeting on Tuesday, July 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT at the Doubletree by Hilton Lisle Naperville Hotel. Lunch will be provided.