Submitted by Lee Dobson, Area Director, NC Government Affairs (GAO)
With active engagement from our Ambassadors and other Hearts for Home Care advocates, together we accomplished the following legislative wins:
· Obtained an Aide Rate Increase
Lawmakers passed a rate increase for aides services in two (2) Medicaid program – Personal Care Services (PCS) and the Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP-C) – taking the rate from $13.88 to $15.52, effective July 1, 2017, and to $15.60, effective January 1, 2018. Due to a technical issue around budget neutrality, an increase was not passed for CAP for disabled adults (CAP-DA). However, we have the commitment of both the General Assembly as well as the Department to institute a fix in the 2018 session.
Provision successfully passed the General Assembly
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· Protected Certificate of Need (CON) Once Again
There were as many as four bills introduced, but not passed, related to CON to either eliminate or modify CON law. As any change to remove or minimize CON law will negatively impact our existing Medicare offices, GAO will continue to work collaboratively with other health care settings behind-the-scenes to prevent the erosion of CON. Educating lawmakers on its implications is key.
Provision successfully excluded
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· ID/DD Individuals to Access Services
A budget provision added some 400 slots to the Innovations Waiver program. Originally the provision included 250 slots. After lobbying, discussion, and debate that number was increased. While it won’t completely address the 900 individuals on the waiting list, these additional slots will help our HAB practice provide services to individuals in need.
Provision successfully passed the General Assembly
· Medicaid Reform Remains In Play
GAO was invited to a meeting with Secretary Mandy Cohen and Medicaid Director Dave Richard to discuss their plans to align mental health and physical health more quickly than 3 years after transition to managed care. In the development of this new waiver, they intend to include stakeholders as well as other protections.
Bill is eligible to be taken up during a Special Session
