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1996 SESSION

961268256
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 219
Offered January 22, 1996
Requesting the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to explore the options available to consumers when choosing long-term care.
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Patron-- Guest
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, almost 13 percent of Virginians are aged 65 or older; and

WHEREAS, Medicaid in Virginia invested approximately $535 million in long-term care services, not including supplies, in Fiscal Year 1995, and its investment will increase significantly over the next 20 years; and

WHEREAS, elderly citizens desire and deserve aging in the least restrictive level of care available to meet their needs; and

WHEREAS, within budgetary constraints, it is appropriate that some nursing home services be reallocated to alternative care programs under Medicaid and other programs; and

WHEREAS, in keeping with the preferences of most older and disabled Virginians, a long-term care system should allow for individual choice for both publicly and privately funded long-term care services and allow providers of care additional flexibility to meet the health care needs of residents in cost effective and creative ways; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Secretary of Health and Human Resources is requested to examine the options consumers have when choosing long-term care in Virginia. The study shall examine, but not be limited to,

1. The possibility of a federal waiver allowing adult care residences to provide home health services to residents who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid when federal and state standards are met and the services are determined to be more cost effective;

2. The possibility of allowing individuals who qualify for Medicare to qualify for 100 days of care in an adult care residence after leaving a hospital;

3. The possibility of establishing a voucher system for publicly financed long-term care clients to encourage client responsibility for service choice based on the client's assessed level of care needs; and

4. The establishment of a reimbursement system for publicly funded clients of long-term care tied to the assessed levels of care needed by the client.

The Secretary is requested to include in this study participation by the Departments for the Aging, Medical Assistance Services, and Social Services, as well as representatives from various interest groups, including urban and rural Area Agencies on Aging, nursing homes, homes for adults, health maintenance organizations, and members of the General Assembly.

The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Secretary, upon request.

The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall complete his work in time to submit his findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing legislative documents.