2023 CSG: Long-Term Care Policy Guide
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TL;DR
ISSUE .............................. The pandemic brought a renewed focus to long-term care in nursing homes. The American Rescue Plan Act provided states essential funding to expand eligibility and increase access to Medicaid home- and community-based services. One of the thorniest issues states are facing is the direct care workforce. Difficult work, low-level compensation and a lack of career advancement opportunities are exacerbating workforce recruitment challenges.
GOAL .............................. Examine strategies states are deploying to regulate long-term services and supports, invest in home- and community-based services and meet the needs of the direct care workforce.
METHODS ................... Review of challenges, state strategies, investments and opportunities.
KEY FINDINGS .......... States are strengthening long-term care ombudsman programs, working to address staffing shortages and improving data collection. States are using ARPA funding to invest in quality improvement initiatives, housing programs and supports for family caregivers. States are taking steps to increase direct care worker wages, enhance training and education, and expand the pipeline of potential employees.
CONCLUSIONS ......... Data collection is an area ripe for improvement in states — whether it is data on the needs of the direct care workforce, on quality of nursing home care or on the care provided in home and community-based settings.
GOAL .............................. Examine strategies states are deploying to regulate long-term services and supports, invest in home- and community-based services and meet the needs of the direct care workforce.
METHODS ................... Review of challenges, state strategies, investments and opportunities.
KEY FINDINGS .......... States are strengthening long-term care ombudsman programs, working to address staffing shortages and improving data collection. States are using ARPA funding to invest in quality improvement initiatives, housing programs and supports for family caregivers. States are taking steps to increase direct care worker wages, enhance training and education, and expand the pipeline of potential employees.
CONCLUSIONS ......... Data collection is an area ripe for improvement in states — whether it is data on the needs of the direct care workforce, on quality of nursing home care or on the care provided in home and community-based settings.
Helpful Links
RTS (Request to Speak): How to offer your opinion on a Bill
Request to Speak (RTS) is a tool that the Arizona Legislature has to allow citizens to weigh in on bills as they move through the process of becoming law. All you need to do is create an account and you can give your feedback from the comfort of your computer!
When the committee is in session, the committee members, and the public, will see a list of names of people who have registered an opinion, if they wish to speak or not, who they are representing, and comments they may leave in the comment box. This information is also available if a person searches past committee agendas.
Having an RTS account does NOT mean you have to speak in committee hearings if you don't want to! You can if you wish, or you may simply register your support or opposition to legislation and leave comments.
When the committee is in session, the committee members, and the public, will see a list of names of people who have registered an opinion, if they wish to speak or not, who they are representing, and comments they may leave in the comment box. This information is also available if a person searches past committee agendas.
Having an RTS account does NOT mean you have to speak in committee hearings if you don't want to! You can if you wish, or you may simply register your support or opposition to legislation and leave comments.
- Fill out this form from Civic Engagement Beyond Voting.
- Once you have your account created, you'll be able to visit https://apps.azleg.gov/ to log in and view the status of bills and give your input on legislation.