HCAOA Members Gather at Connecticut State Capitol to Advocate for Home Care

The HCAOA Connecticut Chapter gathered at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford last week to advocate for the home care industry.in conjunction with the CT Association for Healthcare at Home to co-sponsor Care at Home Day at the Capitol.

Chapter leaders Jonah Francis, Chapter Vice Chair and President of Pansy Homecare Service in West Hartford; Mario D’Aquila, DSS Medicaid Chapter Committee Chair and Chief Operating Officer of Assisted Living Services, Inc. in Cheshire; and Susan Oderwald, Chapter Chair of the Transition Plan Advisory Committee and Owner of Always Best Care in Milford, presented and discussed several priorities for legislation and public policy under consideration during the legislative session. They include Medicaid reimbursement, caregiver training, and OPM’s report and recommendations concerning the transition of registration and oversight of the industry from the Department of Consumer Protection to the Department of Public Health.
 
“HCAOA Connecticut is grateful to lawmakers who attended and listened to the issues and concerns on the minds of home care agency owners,” said Chapter Chair Marlene Chickerella, Owner of B&M Homemaking in West Haven. “Owners generally support policies that will improve the care and safety of seniors and clients but there is often a cost to implement and maintain the policies. HCAOA Connecticut hopes officials understand the impact on seniors and caregivers of policies that will increase costs as well as if Medicaid rates are not adjusted this year. We hope lawmakers hear members’ compelling client stories, their wonderful, shared experiences, and why clients choose the agency model.”
 
Please visit the Chapter homepage for news and information about upcoming events. To view additional photos from the event, visit the CT Care at Home Day at the Capitol Facebook album.