Mass Home Care reports that the Massachusetts Equal Choice in Long Term Care law passed its first anniversary on August 2. Celebrations were muted as progress has been slower than hoped for. The state did submit a Demonstration (1115) Waiver, which has yet to see federal action. The preadmission nursing home counseling has yet to be implemented.
Among the challenges to the state remaining are to: redirect long term care funds (in a budget neutral fashion) to community services; develop an expedited Medicaid authorization process for people needing home and community-based care; establish new community-based models that are not only efficient, but effective in nursing home diversion (the goal of the waiver effort); create a waiver assessment and quality assurance system. Not to mention, put together a rate structure that can help attract the workforce needed to serve a new group of clients.
Rebalancing Massachusetts long term care system is well overdue. Let's get to work. Together we can.
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Lets let everyone Know the Seniors have expressed an opinion on Home Care VS Home care. We expect the Legislatue notvonly to pass laws to increase Home Care Choice but to actually fund the law. WHY ARE OUR STATE LEGISLATURES listening to the Nursing home lobbyists and promoted excess profits from Health Insurance companies to the detriment of the Taxpayers and against the wishes of Seniors who are at their mercy
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