HCAOA Chapters: What Has Your State Been Up to Lately?

​HCAOA’s state chapters continue to monitor states’ legislative and regulatory actions. Here’s a quick listing of the most recent home care happenings around the country.

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Illinois: State Chapter leaders have submitted a list of services they believe home care workers should be able to provide under their current license. Working with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Senator Bill Cunningham (D-18), who sponsored SB 221, members are focused on having home care aides practice to the full extent of the initial licensure legislation passed several years ago.

California: Meetings have been held with the Department of Social Services and nurses about delegation authority to home care aides. Initial talks have indicated that this expansion of home care aides services would require legislation.

Connecticut: Advocacy continues for a Medicaid rate increase. HCAOA has been working in partnership with the state home care association and also continuing advocacy regarding advertising restrictions that have been put in place by the state.

Florida: Currently waiting for regulations on nurse delegation. Chapter leaders have sent a letter indicating their support of nurse delegation for nurses working for non-skilled agencies. The Chapter is also planning for an August 12 in-person meeting with AHCA officials and the Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. 

Michigan: Members have been advocating to stop a component of a new No-Fault Auto Insurance law, which includes a home care rate reduction back to 2019 levels, minus 45 percent.  

Ohio: Legislation to license home care looks promising with the House Speaker Pro Temp Tim Ginter (i.e. R-15) as its sponsor. HCAOA chapter leaders have worked on this along with the Ohio Council for Home Care. Passage is expected next week.

Virginia: State licensure for home care is up for revision and members are anxious to submit their ideas for much needed amendments, including the audit requirement and other overly burdensome mandates.  

Nebraska: HCAOA has been working with the state home care association to develop licensure language.

New Jersey: HCAOA’s newest state chapter is working on CNA reciprocity and reducing burdens for CNAs.
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Minnesota: Concern has been expressed about the delays in approving home care license applications. Many other states are experiencing such delays as state governments recover from restrictions during the pandemic.  ​