04/27/1994 08:40 AM House FIN

  SB 249    An  Act   relating  to   assisted  living   homes;                 
            repealing references to residential facilities for                 
            dependent adults;  and providing for  an effective                 
            date.                                                              
                                                                               
                                1                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
            CS SB 249  (HES)am was  reported out of  Committee                 
            with fiscal notes by the  Department of Health and                 
            Social Services  dated 3/10/94 (2)  & 1/14/94  (1)                 
            and  zero  fiscal  notes   by  the  Department  of                 
            Administration dated 3/10/94.                                      
  SENATE BILL 249                                                              
                                                                               
       "An Act relating  to assisted  living homes;  repealing                 
       references  to  residential  facilities  for  dependent                 
       adults; and providing for an effective date."                           
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                3                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
  Commissioner Usera stated that  the Governor introduced  the                 
  proposed  legislation  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the                 
  operation of homes that help the  elderly to "age in place",                 
  and  disabled  adults  to  reach   their  highest  level  of                 
  functioning  by   integration  into  the  community.     The                 
  legislation's reforms are summarized in three points:                        
                                                                               
       1.   Respect for residents as consumers.                                
       2.   Allowing  access  to  health  care  in a  homelike                 
            setting.                                                           
       3.   Transfer  of  the   licensing  responsibility   of                 
            agencies   with    programmatic   experience    in                 
            independent living for the elderly or persons with                 
            disabilities.                                                      
                                                                               
  Representative Brown  asked how  the bill  would affect  the                 
  operations of the Pioneer Homes.  Commissioner Usera replied                 
  that the  legislation would  have no impact  on the  Pioneer                 
  Homes, some of which are currently providing assisted living                 
  services.  The  legislation would intend to  license members                 
  of private institutions to provide additional services.                      
                                                                               
  Representative  Hanley questioned if  it would  be necessary                 
  for all the new homes to go through the  certificate of need                 
  process.  Commissioner Usera noted  that the references here                 
  would be assisted living facilities and would not be subject                 
  to the certificate  of need process.   Representative Hanley                 
  questioned  how  these services  would  be paid  for  in the                 
  future.     Discussion  followed  among   Committee  members                 
  regarding that concern.                                                      
                                                                               
  DAVE WHITE,  DIVISION OF MEDICAL  ASSISTANCE, DEPARTMENT  OF                 
  HEALTH  AND  SOCIAL  SERVICES, stressed  that  the  proposed                 
  legislation  would  provide an  alternative  to the  current                 
  nursing home situation  and would  provide a cost  effective                 
  service operation  short of institutionalization.  Mr. White                 
  urged Committee  members to  pass the  legislation in  order                 
  that the assisted care institutions  could be built and that                 
  this legislation would be able to grant  provisions in order                 
  to license them.                                                             
                                                                               
  Representative Parnell MOVED to report CS SB 249 (HES)am out                 
  of Committee  with individual  recommendations and with  the                 
  accompanying fiscal notes.  There being NO OBJECTION, it was                 
  so ordered.                                                                  
                                                                               
  CS SB 249  (HES)am was  reported out of  Committee with  "no                 
  recommendations" and with fiscal notes  by the Department of                 
  Health and  Social Services dated 3/10/94 &  1/14/94 and the                 
  Department of Administration dated 3/10/94.