Lead October 28, 2021
Top Stories:
Bill Would Amend Health Care Right of Conscience Act
Medicaid Rate Reform Update
Assisted Living:
Tell Congress to Not Leave Assisted Living Behind, Again
Nursing and Rehabilitation:
2020 Cost Reports
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS):
PACE Update
Annual Hospice Rate Changes Effective October 1
Other:
Join the Emerging Leaders Group
Top Stories:
Bill Would Amend Health Care Right of Conscience Act
The Health Care Right of Conscience Act (HCRCA) would be amended under House Amendment #3 to SB1169.
This amendment, which passed in the House last night and heads to the Senate, from the Governor’s Office says it is not a violation of the HCRCA for employers to “take any measures or impose any requirements” to “prevent contraction or transmission of COVID-19 or any pathogens that result in COVID-19 or any of its subsequent iterations.” Changes to the HCRCA will do nothing to undermine the federal protections around the ability of individuals to seek an accommodation based on a sincerely held religious belief will not be impacted by anything we do with the Act. LeadingAge Illinois had discussions with the Governor’s Office and legislators on this bill this week. It’s purpose is to allow more coverage for employers to enforce a vaccine mandate.
Medicaid Rate Reform Update
Today is the final day of the fall legislative veto session. Although it is mostly likely any legislation will be pushed into the spring session, there is the potential that the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) could put forward a Medicaid rate reform bill for passage before veto session adjourns. It would be the culmination of years of work including nearly a year of intensive regular meetings with the associations. LeadingAge Illinois and the Illinois Health Care Association (IHCA) have a joint proposal and continue to push for a rate redesign that ties rates to staffing and quality and minimizes the losers in changes to the provider tax. We will keep members abreast of what continues to transpire on this significant issue.
Assisted Living:
Tell Congress to Not Leave Assisted Living Behind, Again
U.S. Congress is about to spend billions for senior care, but is once again excluding assisted living caregivers. We need a strong, amplified message to Congress: “Don’t Leave Assisted Living Behind, Again.”
We need Congress to include assisted living caregivers in the “reconciliation bill” and to support the SENIOR Act. LeadingAge Illinois and Argentum encourage your advocacy to ensure inclusion of these needs in the reconciliation bill.
We encourage you, your team members, residents, and their family members to go to Standingwithseniors.com and take action by sending a pre-written message to the White House and Congress on the needs for additional support.
Argentum has yard signs and banners available to all senior living providers and others that are willing to participate regardless of whether they are members of Argentum or not. You can place a yard sign and a 6ft x 3ft banner outside of your community, with the message that “Heroes work here / Trillions in COVID Relief, but not for seniors in assisted living and memory care / Don’t leave us behind again.”
If you would like to display a yard sign/banner, please contact Jason Speaks. When you display your signs/banners, please take pictures of the signs and banners in front of your community communities.
We look forward to advocating along with you once again and thank you in advance for your participation in these efforts.
Nursing and Rehabilitation:
2020 Cost Reports
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted the new 2020 Long Term Care Cost Reports.
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS):
PACE Update
Illinois has released an updated timeline for reinvigorating the PACE program. This timeline can be found here. The state is holding a webinar on November 3. The state has also released a notification system. Online updates are being provided here.
Annual Hospice Rate Changes Effective October 1
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has released a notice to hospice providers on annual rate changes that went into effect October 1.
Other:
Join the Emerging Leaders Group
Do you have an emerging leader or are interested in growing your leadership skills and network? Consider joining the Emerging Leaders group. This special interest group is designed for anyone who identifies as an “up-and-coming” leader in aging services! Participants may include, but are not limited to those new to their organization and/or industry, in a new position, or interested in leadership development and networking opportunities with other members of LeadingAge Illinois.
Join us for a monthly Emerging Leaders Lunch & Learn on the “Final Friday” (last Friday of each month) from 12pm-1pm. All are welcome to join and attend the Lunch & Learn educational sessions (as your schedule allows). Brought to you by LeadingAge Illinois in collaboration with Emma Imes, Strategic Initiatives Manager of Mather and Laura Edwards, Director of Strategic Initiatives of Clark-Lindsey.
If you are interested in joining the Emerging Leaders group, please contact LeadingAge Illinois staff. Please see the Emerging Leaders Lunch & Learn Schedule.