​Washington Governor Inslee is required by law to submit a budget prior to the state’s legislative session. HCAOA Washington Chapter Lobbyist Leslie Emerick developed a summary of the Governor’s 2022 Supplemental Budget potential impacts on in-home services in the proposals for the Departments of Health, Social and Health Services, and Health Care Authority.

​The Connecticut Department of Social Services has published notice of intent to amend Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waivers for personal care assistance to provide temporary increases in provider rates. The HCAOA Connecticut Chapter supports the rate increases and urges Chapter members to submit comments in support of the increases and copy their legislators by tomorrow December 30, via email to the Department of Social Services, Attention: Jennifer Cavallaro, Director at Jennifer.Cavallaro@ct.gov. 

​The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act (H.R.5376) last Friday by a vote of 220-213. The bill was passed solely by Democratic lawmakers as Republicans oppose the expansion of many of its initiatives and the tax increases proposed to finance the plan. The bill now goes to the Senate where it is likely to change as key Senators question major spending priorities and tax provisions. 

​HCAOA urges all members to visit the online Legislative Action Center and send a message to their Representatives and Senators telling them it’s time to support the 43 million family caregivers in the U.S. by providing a tax credit for their caregiving expenses. Put the Credit for Caring Act BACK in the Build Back Better Plan!

​During its state conference last week, the HCAOA Illinois Chapter presented a Public Leadership Award to Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-18), who worked with the Chapter to introduce a bill to expand the scope of what home care services providers may do in the state.

​The award, which was presented to Sen. Cunningham by member Aishling Dalton Kelly and Chapter Chair Katie Fielmann (pictured with the Senator), was in recognition his leadership and commitment to assuring that Illinois seniors and medically vulnerable individuals receive exceptional and comprehensive in-home care to enrich their quality of life.

​​On Monday, President Biden signed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill into law at the White House, a bipartisan effort reached after months of negotiations. Biden used this opportunity to make the case for the other part of his Build Back Better plan: a $1.75 trillion investment in the social safety net and climate policy, including $150 million for home care expansion under Medicaid.

HCAOA continues to monitor and engage in state advocacy efforts on behalf of members. Click here for an update on state issues impacting home care organizations.  HCAOA Legislative Chair Matt Boever will review these updates during today’s Legislative Committee Call. ​

​Over the weekend, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNN that Democrats are close to finalizing an agreement on the President’s social safety net plan and that the plan could be ready for a final vote by the end of this week. However, few details were provided about what programs are included in the plan. 

The Choose Home Care Act of 2021 (HR 5514) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 8 by Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and James Comer (R-Kentucky). This bipartisan legislation supports in-home care alternatives to skilled nursing facilities. The bill would allow for patients receiving skilled nursing or rehabilitation services from their home health provider to also receive meals, non-emergency transportation, remote patient monitoring, and more.