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| Health Choices |
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HOUSE PASSES "EQUAL CHOICE" BILL
(OPENPRESS) August 1, 2006--South Shore Elder Services explains that now seniors citizens and the disabled who qualify for long term care services under the MassHealth program will have an "equal choice" of care at home, or care in a nursing home, under legislation adopted July 24th on a unanimous 153-0 vote on the floor of the House.
S.2273, the "equal choice" bill, modernize the MassHealth program from one which has historically been institutionally oriented, to one which focuses on care "in the least restrictive setting appropriate" to an individual's needs.
"The elderly and the disabled want to be cared for at home as a first resort," explained Ed Flynn, Executive Director of South Shore Elder Services. "This legislation gives them the choice to live independently in the community. For the first time in 40 years, we set a clear mission for more than $2 billon in states spending. This bill is a win-win. It keeps elders living in the community, and it saves tax dollars as well."
The equal choice bill also establishes a more focused "re-admission counseling" program for people who are being referred to a nursing home, to ensure that they are aware of community alternatives. Those who are about to enter a nursing home, regardless of whether they are privately paying or seeking MassHealth support, will have the opportunity to explore options in the community first.
Additionally, the bill requires the state to submit a "waiver" to the federal government which will raise the income and asset levels for the MassHealth long term care program thus allowing the Commonwealth to capture 50% federal match for some elders who are now fully supported by state funding.
According to the Romney Administration, the equal choice bill will save state taxpayers $134 million in the first five years after implementation. Several recent studies of the state's long term care system have noted the Commonwealths over-reliance on institutional care. Today, approximately 75% of the MassHealth funding for long term care goes to nursing homes. Massachusetts ranks 25th in the nation for the percentage of MassHealth funding spent in the community.
According to Mr. Flynn, the bill is an important civil rights protection that "allows consumers to seek care in the most integrated setting."
The Senate has already engrossed a similar version of the equal choice bill on a unanimous vote. The equal choice legislation has been endorsed by the major elderly and disabled rights group in the state, including Mass Home Care, AARP, The Statewide Independent Living Council, MAOA, Mass Senior Action, Mass Councils on Aging, and The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization.
"Your Age Info Specialist"
since 1977, South Shore Elder Services, Inc. has been providing South Shore seniors and caregiver with the resources and services that promote and maintain optimal levels of elder independence.
As one of 27 Aging Services Access Points in Massachusetts, South Shore Elder Services coordinates and provide a wide range of services to elder and caregiver throughout Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Milton, Norwell, Quincy, Randolph, Scituate and Weymouth. The agency's mission is to promote and maintain an optimal level of elder independence through the coordination of resource, advocacy and caregiver support.
Supported in part by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, South Shore Elder Services is located at 159 Bay State Drive in Braintree, MA. For more information contact (781) 848-3910 or visit their website at www.sselder.org.
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