ATSALIS ANNOUNCES NEW LAW THAT WILL PROVIDE LONG-TERM HOMECARE TO ELDERLY AND DISABLED

BOSTON, MA - Senior 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 recently signed into law. 

The new law, called  “Equal Choice”, modernizes the current MassHealth program from one which, historically, has been institutionally oriented to one which focuses on care “in the least restrictive setting appropriate” to an individual’s needs.

“As I understand it, this legislation will save the taxpayers of the Commonwealth $134 million in the first five years after its implementation,” Atsalis stated.   “But, more importantly, it allows the state to break away from the old and traditional ways it has delivered its long term care for a new and better system that lets older and disabled individuals live out their lives in an home arrangement that is familiar to them.”
 
Today, approximately 75% of the MassHealth funding for long term care goes to nursing homes, with Massachusetts ranking 25th in the nation for the percentage of MassHealth funding spent on community living programs.

The “Equal Choice” law establishes a “pre-admission counseling” program for people who are being referred to a nursing home, to ensure that they are aware of community alternatives.  A person 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.

Under the new law, the state will be required to submit a “waiver” to the federal government to receive permission to raise the income and asset levels for the MassHealth long term care program.  The waiver will allow the Commonwealth to capture a 50% federal match for some elders who are not fully supported with state funding.

Major elderly and disabled rights groups 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 have enthusiastically endorsed the new legislation, calling it a major milestone in extended health care for Massachusetts residents. 
 
“This new law allows the elderly and disabled members of our community to choose what type of care will best meet their needs.  This bill puts their best interests first, and allows them to remain in the community if they wish”, said Representative Atsalis.