Friends of Ives Hill, we reach out to you today to again share updates in how recent legislation concerns in New York State continue to impact those we serve. Two bills have been proposed in New York State that will directly impact assisted living communities, including Heritage if passed.
What are the bills?
- 196 (Gottfried)/S.1576 (Rivera), is a proposed bill potentially severe impacts. If passed would impose new costly and potentially devastating requirements and penalties for organizations, including Heritage, who provided assisted living services to seniors. The bill increases the potential penalties for assisted care facilities (ACF) violations from $1,000 to $2,000 per violation per day – or $3,000 for a repeat violation. ACFs are already struggling under the weight of regulations, with COVID-19 almost daily introducing new challenges, risks, mandates, costs, and severe penalties. The Department of Health (DOH) already works to issue fines at their discretion when warranted, and this increase is unreasonable – the bill removes that flexibility. For example, ACFs have been required to submit a daily COVID-19 report to the DOH. They receive a violation if it is submitted even a few minutes late; and yet, there are so many reasons why staff are being pulled in many different directions leading to a late submission, including most importantly, the top priority for all of us – resident care.
- Another bill, has advanced to the Senate Finance committee. Bill 9575 (Solages)/S.1593 (Rivera), would allow ACFs to directly employ licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs) to provide care is assisted living communities, including Heritage. The passing of this bill could help us provide additional, and often much-needed, care to our assisted living residents as they continue to live vibrant lives in the place they call home.
What does this mean for Ives Hill?
At Heritage, we remain committed to providing care that meets, and often exceeds, all standards provided by NYS, and continue to do so. Increasing the fines to care communities—with the maximum potential fine per violation per day rising to $3,000 – will be devastating for many organizations, including Heritage, and could lead to driving up the cost of care for residents, reduced admissions, or being forced to close their doors permanently and forcing residents to move to a skilled nursing community.
Additionally, allowing RNs and LPNs to provide care in assisted living communities will allow many organizations, including Heritage to provide additional, and often much-needed, care to our assisted living residents as they continue to live vibrant lives in the only place they call home.
How can I help?
Click HERE to let your elected representative know you oppose A.196/S.1576, which imposes increased fines on assisted living communities.
Click HERE to let your elected representative know you support passing A.9575/S.1593 and let them know what positive impact passing the bill will have for the seniors we serve.
Again, we share this information so you can understand our commitment to those we serve, we are happy to answer any questions you might have. Please contact Sallie Williams, Vice President of Advancement at advocacy@heritage1886.org for more information or to share your concerns.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support for Heritage and our greatest generation, our seniors.