Thursday, February 18, 2010
Watch our Provider Program video update
FHCA will be bringing you live updates from the Capitol this legislative session through our weekly Provider Program. With more than 20 members in town yesterday for our first Lobby Wednesday, we kicked off this season with a great interview with Kristine Schiff of Ponce de Leon, who gave us the associate member's perspective of why it is important to participate in the legislative process. We also heard from Consulate Health Care's Mark Johnson, who shared highlights from his legislative meetings as well as his overall experience. Click here to watch this week's video, and stay tuned for our next series of video updates to begin when session starts March 2nd. If you miss a week, don't worry. You can always find archives of our video updates in the Provider Program section on the right sidebar.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Background Screening Update
Tuesday was an interesting day at the Capitol. It started early with a meeting of the House Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council, which began at 8 a.m. We arrived bright and early at 7 a.m. in ancipation of giving public testimony on the proposed legislation that modifies background screening laws for a multitude of different entities.
For facilities and licensees regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the bill, PCB 10-04, will require Level 2, fingerprint screenings for all employees who provide personal care or services directly to residents, have access to resident living areas or a resident's funds or personal property, and for all contractors who provide personal care or services directly to residents. All fingerprinting must be done electronically, and all employees who have worked longer than five years will have to have the electronic Level 2 screening. The cost of such a screening is $24 for the state check plus $19.25 for the electronic Level 2. Then, there will be a "vendor" charge for the company that actually rolls the prints and submits them to FDLE.
There's lots of details that have yet to be worked out, so your FHCA staff and lobbyists continue to work diligently with legislators and staff on these details. Since this was the first and perhaps only time public comments were being allowed, I stepped up and provided two comments for consideration: the availability of vendors to provide the screening - are they accessible by public transportation, which many of our caregivers use as their mode of transportation to get to work? Another important point of consideration is the cost of implementing such a system on July 1, 2010, which gives providers little time to detemine how to do the screening, and no system to reimburse the employer.
Joe Langford, president of Edge Information Management and an associate member of FHCA and FHC Service Corp member, also testified during the meeting to ask consideration of third parties to be allowed to act as an agent on behalf of the employer. It is important that the final bill doesn't negatively impact Florida businesses.
You might remember this issue began when several TV and newspaper outlets in south Florida did an investigative series that found employees with criminal records working with vulnerable persons. As a result, the Legislature has picked this up and is running with it. FHCA is in support of background screening legislation, since resident safety is our first priority.
So what happens next? The bill needs to be printed and assigned a number, and it will move onto its next committee of reference. We'll continue to keep you posted on this issue, so be sure to follow us here for more information.
For facilities and licensees regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the bill, PCB 10-04, will require Level 2, fingerprint screenings for all employees who provide personal care or services directly to residents, have access to resident living areas or a resident's funds or personal property, and for all contractors who provide personal care or services directly to residents. All fingerprinting must be done electronically, and all employees who have worked longer than five years will have to have the electronic Level 2 screening. The cost of such a screening is $24 for the state check plus $19.25 for the electronic Level 2. Then, there will be a "vendor" charge for the company that actually rolls the prints and submits them to FDLE.
There's lots of details that have yet to be worked out, so your FHCA staff and lobbyists continue to work diligently with legislators and staff on these details. Since this was the first and perhaps only time public comments were being allowed, I stepped up and provided two comments for consideration: the availability of vendors to provide the screening - are they accessible by public transportation, which many of our caregivers use as their mode of transportation to get to work? Another important point of consideration is the cost of implementing such a system on July 1, 2010, which gives providers little time to detemine how to do the screening, and no system to reimburse the employer.
Joe Langford, president of Edge Information Management and an associate member of FHCA and FHC Service Corp member, also testified during the meeting to ask consideration of third parties to be allowed to act as an agent on behalf of the employer. It is important that the final bill doesn't negatively impact Florida businesses.
You might remember this issue began when several TV and newspaper outlets in south Florida did an investigative series that found employees with criminal records working with vulnerable persons. As a result, the Legislature has picked this up and is running with it. FHCA is in support of background screening legislation, since resident safety is our first priority.
So what happens next? The bill needs to be printed and assigned a number, and it will move onto its next committee of reference. We'll continue to keep you posted on this issue, so be sure to follow us here for more information.
FHCA kicks off Lobby Wednesdays
FHCA members Consulate Health Care, Hathaway Resources and Ponce de Leon were in town today to kick off the Association's 2010 Lobby Wednesdays. More than 20 nursing home administrators and vendors who support our interests traveled to Tallahassee to help us discuss several priorities which FHCA will focus on for the 2010 session. Issues of importance include protecting the funding for nursing home residents' quality care; ensuring a cost effective delivery of long term care services while preserving Florida's economy and safeguarding taxpayers' interests; working with AHCA and Rep. Matt Hudson (R-101) on their regulatory relief bill to help eliminate duplicative requirements for long term care providers; and strengthening resident protections by ensuring background screening legislation does not limit providers' access to a qualified workforce.FHCA has developed issue papers on each of these priorities, which can be found on our Web site. They address each of our issues:
- Protecting the funding to ensure resident quality care
- Ensuring cost-effective delivery of long term care services
- Preserving state resources by eliminating duplicative requirements and regulations
Also included on the FHCA Web site is the FHCA position regarding background screening legislation.
The next Lobby Wednesday will take place March 10th, and if you haven't participated in Lobby Wednesdays before, don't worry! FHCA can team you up with fellow members to visit your lawmakers in groups. FHCA staff conducts an in-depth briefing to prepare you for communicating our issues effectively during those meetings, and we do our best to make your experience a success. To learn more about how to participate, click here or contact Teresa Hamlin of our staff if you have any questions.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight Addresses Nursing Home Funding Cuts
As a result of ongoing media efforts relative to chronic Medicaid underfunding of nursing home care, the current economic crisis facing states, and the skilled nursing facility Medicare cuts that went into effect on October 1 due to the implementation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services “forecast error,” the Associated Press (AP) ran a story on October 5 chronicling this issue. On October 13th, CNN and Lou Dobb’s Tonight also produced a segment, during which a reporter went on-site at the West Hartford Health and Rehab Center in West Hartford, CT, to film the care provided in a typical skilled nursing facility and interview the administrator.
American Health Care Association President and CEO Bruce Yarwood was also interviewed, noting that Medicaid has chronically underfunded the care of nursing home care and the disparity between the cost to provide care and reimbursement levels continues to increase over time. In 2008, the national average hourly Medicaid reimbursement for nursing home care was only $6.70 and hour. Yarwood went on to say that most every state is facing a budgetary crisis as they grapple with the reality that demand and need for Medicaid financed care is up, while funding levels for the program are limited or are in jeopardy.
On October 1, an administrative cut in Medicare funding for skilled nursing care went into effect – eliminating an estimated $1.05 billion in FY 2010 alone, or as much as $16 billion over the next ten years. The Medicare cuts, coupled with Medicaid underfunding and state budget crisis, will result in job losses and will jeopardize the recent quality improvements seen in our nation’s skilled nursing facilities.
Long term care facilities are facing even more funding uncertainty, as temporary increases in Medicaid funding that came from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus package will expire on December 31, 2010. All of these funding cuts and underfunding come at a time when the long term care sector must be preparing to face an upswell of individuals requiring both short-stay rehabilitative care and long stay 24-hour nursing care and support.
Please help Save Our Seniors. Contact your Members of Congress by phone or e-mail and urge them to oppose the nursing home funding cuts contained in health care reform.
American Health Care Association President and CEO Bruce Yarwood was also interviewed, noting that Medicaid has chronically underfunded the care of nursing home care and the disparity between the cost to provide care and reimbursement levels continues to increase over time. In 2008, the national average hourly Medicaid reimbursement for nursing home care was only $6.70 and hour. Yarwood went on to say that most every state is facing a budgetary crisis as they grapple with the reality that demand and need for Medicaid financed care is up, while funding levels for the program are limited or are in jeopardy.
On October 1, an administrative cut in Medicare funding for skilled nursing care went into effect – eliminating an estimated $1.05 billion in FY 2010 alone, or as much as $16 billion over the next ten years. The Medicare cuts, coupled with Medicaid underfunding and state budget crisis, will result in job losses and will jeopardize the recent quality improvements seen in our nation’s skilled nursing facilities.
Long term care facilities are facing even more funding uncertainty, as temporary increases in Medicaid funding that came from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus package will expire on December 31, 2010. All of these funding cuts and underfunding come at a time when the long term care sector must be preparing to face an upswell of individuals requiring both short-stay rehabilitative care and long stay 24-hour nursing care and support.
Please help Save Our Seniors. Contact your Members of Congress by phone or e-mail and urge them to oppose the nursing home funding cuts contained in health care reform.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Ask Congress to Stop Proposals that Further Cut Nursing Home Care
FHCA joins the American Health Care Association in its support of health care reform. Yet, proposals in Congress would cut Medicare funding for residents in nursing homes nationwide by more than $32 billion. These cuts add to $12 billion in cuts imposed when the Administration finalized a rule affecting nursing home care on July 31, 2009. Together, cuts of this magnitude are simply unsustainable.
Since labor represents 70% of nursing home operating costs, we worry that such deep cuts would affect jobs - forcing layoffs, lowering salaries, or reducing benefits - and ultimately, hurting residents' quality of care. Congress must stop proposals that further cut nursing home care and reconsider how the existing $12 bllion in cuts, combinded with the state Medicaid funding shortfall that will occur when federal stimulus dollars run out, will negatively impact seniors' care.
FHCA, together with the American Health Care Association, are calling on Congress to ensure that total funding for nursing home care remains adequate to preserve quality care for America's seniors and protects caregiver jobs. Please join us in this advocacy campaign by clicking on this link for resource materials you can use to better educate Congress about these cuts as we campaign to Save our Seniors today.
How You Can Help:
Since labor represents 70% of nursing home operating costs, we worry that such deep cuts would affect jobs - forcing layoffs, lowering salaries, or reducing benefits - and ultimately, hurting residents' quality of care. Congress must stop proposals that further cut nursing home care and reconsider how the existing $12 bllion in cuts, combinded with the state Medicaid funding shortfall that will occur when federal stimulus dollars run out, will negatively impact seniors' care.
FHCA, together with the American Health Care Association, are calling on Congress to ensure that total funding for nursing home care remains adequate to preserve quality care for America's seniors and protects caregiver jobs. Please join us in this advocacy campaign by clicking on this link for resource materials you can use to better educate Congress about these cuts as we campaign to Save our Seniors today.
How You Can Help:
- Call or e-mail your U.S. Senator and Representative today!
- Attend a Town Hall Meeting or set up a meeting in your local district with your U.S. Senator, Representative or a member of their staff.
- Invite your U.S. Senator or Representative into your facility.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Massive Federal Medicare Cuts Will Hurt Nursing Home Residents, Cost Jobs
The Executive Director of the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) warned that new federal Medicare cuts of up to $16 billion resulting from Friday’s announcement by the Obama Administration that it has put into effect a new Medicare regulation will significantly endanger Florida nursing home residents’ care and jeopardize the state’s already fragile economy and caregiver jobs base.
“We intend to make certain the interests of nursing home residents remain a priority for lawmakers as they pursue health care reform in Washington, and will make sure they understand that the Medicare funding cuts on top of the looming Medicaid funding crisis plaguing Florida’s seniors and providers after stimulus dollars are expended is unsustainable,” Emmett Reed, Executive Director of FHCA said.
In the year 2010 alone, Florida’s Medicare cuts amount to $78.4 million – the 2nd highest level of cuts in the nation. The estimated economic impact on Florida in the year ahead, according to an analysis from the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, will be a reduction of $132.2 million in business activity, a reduction of $65.9 million in labor income, and a loss of 1,960 jobs.
Continued Reed: “Having now just suffered a massive Medicare funding cut of up to $16 billion – distinct and separate from the reductions our sector has willingly and cooperatively agreed to shoulder as part of achieving broader reform – we are alarmed the sheer size of the cumulative cuts we ultimately suffer will be especially damaging to seniors in states like Florida, where our Medicaid program is already underfunded*. Medicare and Medicaid funding are inextricably linked, and the combination of cuts to both programs squeezes our local facilities in a manner harmful to Medicare beneficiaries’ care needs, detrimental to our state’s local economy, and injurious to our caregiver jobs base.”
Reed noted that Florida nursing homes are seeing an increasingly diverse patient base, and providing a greater variety of acute care, rehabilitative and convalescent services that cannot be delivered elsewhere – care services which are now in jeopardy due to the sheer size and scope of the Medicare funding cuts. These massive funding cuts, Reed said, will undermine facilities’ ability to effectively treat this more medically complex patient population, and also put the jobs of the direct care workforce they depend upon in substantial danger.
“Achieving a sweeping health care reform bill we can all be proud of, and which will improve the health of every Florida resident is a necessity, not an option,” Reed continued. Yet, protecting vulnerable seniors in the process must always remain a key priority from which we must not deviate.”
During the upcoming August recess, Reed said, the long-term care community will ask federal lawmakers to keep the interests of nursing home residents and those who care for them foremost in their minds. “We intend to explain in a tangible, informative manner why it is essential for Congress, upon its return to Washington in September, to recalibrate its thinking on health care reform and scale back these enormous Medicare cuts.”
*An Eljay, LLC analysis of the nation’s Medicaid program released in October by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) projects that Medicaid underfunded the actual cost of providing quality long term care in 2008 by $188.5 million annually in Florida, and that Florida seniors rank 10th in terms of cumulative underfunding of nursing facility care.
“We intend to make certain the interests of nursing home residents remain a priority for lawmakers as they pursue health care reform in Washington, and will make sure they understand that the Medicare funding cuts on top of the looming Medicaid funding crisis plaguing Florida’s seniors and providers after stimulus dollars are expended is unsustainable,” Emmett Reed, Executive Director of FHCA said.
In the year 2010 alone, Florida’s Medicare cuts amount to $78.4 million – the 2nd highest level of cuts in the nation. The estimated economic impact on Florida in the year ahead, according to an analysis from the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, will be a reduction of $132.2 million in business activity, a reduction of $65.9 million in labor income, and a loss of 1,960 jobs.
Continued Reed: “Having now just suffered a massive Medicare funding cut of up to $16 billion – distinct and separate from the reductions our sector has willingly and cooperatively agreed to shoulder as part of achieving broader reform – we are alarmed the sheer size of the cumulative cuts we ultimately suffer will be especially damaging to seniors in states like Florida, where our Medicaid program is already underfunded*. Medicare and Medicaid funding are inextricably linked, and the combination of cuts to both programs squeezes our local facilities in a manner harmful to Medicare beneficiaries’ care needs, detrimental to our state’s local economy, and injurious to our caregiver jobs base.”
Reed noted that Florida nursing homes are seeing an increasingly diverse patient base, and providing a greater variety of acute care, rehabilitative and convalescent services that cannot be delivered elsewhere – care services which are now in jeopardy due to the sheer size and scope of the Medicare funding cuts. These massive funding cuts, Reed said, will undermine facilities’ ability to effectively treat this more medically complex patient population, and also put the jobs of the direct care workforce they depend upon in substantial danger.
“Achieving a sweeping health care reform bill we can all be proud of, and which will improve the health of every Florida resident is a necessity, not an option,” Reed continued. Yet, protecting vulnerable seniors in the process must always remain a key priority from which we must not deviate.”
During the upcoming August recess, Reed said, the long-term care community will ask federal lawmakers to keep the interests of nursing home residents and those who care for them foremost in their minds. “We intend to explain in a tangible, informative manner why it is essential for Congress, upon its return to Washington in September, to recalibrate its thinking on health care reform and scale back these enormous Medicare cuts.”
*An Eljay, LLC analysis of the nation’s Medicaid program released in October by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) projects that Medicaid underfunded the actual cost of providing quality long term care in 2008 by $188.5 million annually in Florida, and that Florida seniors rank 10th in terms of cumulative underfunding of nursing facility care.
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