Aging Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6457
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING NURSING HOME SERVICES.
Vote Date: 3/11/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/23/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Aging Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill establishes a study whether there are enough nursing home facilities to provide long-
term care in the future. With the aging if the residents of the state it is necessary to project
the needs for long-term care in the future and the corresponding economic impact it will have
on our state. With the population anticipated to continue to age, there may be a significant
economic impact on the state. The bill calls for the Commissioner of the Department of Social
Services to present a report of the findings on or before July 1, 2022.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Department of Social Services The testimony indicates that DSS has partnered with
Mercer Human Services Consulting regarding the future needs of long-term services and
support (LTSS). The testimony indicates there have been previous studies and reports at the
local level, and that the department can continue periodic updates of the findings to fulfill the
goals of HB 6457. The Mercer report suggests that the continued increase in home and
community-based services will decrease the need of nursing home beds by 2040.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Mag Morelli, President, LeadingAge Connecticut The testimony offered is in support of
this legislation. Additionally, the testimony offers that LeadingAge Connecticut would be
willing to assist the state in any such studies.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Anna Doroghaze, AARP Connecticut The testimony offered by AARP does not feel that
this legislation is necessary. They note that in a report issued by Mercer in July 2019 it was
projected that the demand for long-term care is projected to increase over the next twenty
years, the demand for nursing home facilities will decrease as the demand for home and
community-based services continues to increase. The proposed legislation asks whether any
programmatic or legislative changes are needed to better service adults in the need of
institutional care. While this is an important question, the testimony offers that this question
has been addressed by the legislature's recently convened Nursing Home and Assisted
Oversight working group.
Reported by: Richard Ferrari, Assistant Clerk Date: 3/25/2021
Richard O'Neil, Assistant Clerk
Joe Perkus, Clerk
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