This bill aims to reform the long-term care system by prioritizing home- and community-based care for individuals aged 65 and over, adults with disabilities, and individuals with developmental disabilities. It authorizes the executive office of health and human services to apply for necessary waivers and amendments to implement this plan. The bill also establishes a person-centered and individual choice-focused long-term care system that provides specialized and tailored home-based services. It allows for the adoption of more stringent criteria for admission to certain facilities compared to home- and community-based services. The bill also addresses the issue of low wages for home-care workers by instituting a one-time increase in base-payment rates for home-care service providers in FY 2019 and proposes a payment methodology change for FY 2022 to increase wages for direct-care workers. The bill establishes a long-term-care-options counseling program and provides resources for individuals with long-term-care needs who remain at home.

In addition, the bill authorizes the executive office to develop higher resource eligibility limits for individuals or obtain necessary state plan or waiver authorities to change the financial eligibility criteria for long-term services and supports. It requires the executive office to implement home- and community-based service and payment reforms, including adult day services level of need criteria and payment reforms. The bill also requires the executive office to submit a state plan amendment for federal fiscal year 2024 to set rates for chiropractic services. The bill authorizes the secretary to seek any necessary Medicaid waivers or administrative actions to implement the requirements of the bill.

Statutes affected:
512: 40-8.9-9