The House voted 129-3 May 16 to pass a Department of Human Services continuing care policy bill that would modify disability services and personal care assistance (PCA) programs and make changes to a nursing facility relocation project and hardship area statutes.
Sponsored by Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake),
HF1406 also makes technical and language changes to the telephone equipment distribution program. It now awaits action by the full Senate. Sen. Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge) is the Senate sponsor.
The bill would modify the PCA program to clarify definitions for eligibility and coverage for PCA services that would align with current policy and the comprehensive assessment and clarify who can do PCA assessments. It would also modify long-term care consultations to define administrative functions for assessment for program and service eligibility determinations and level of care for persons who are in need of long-term care services.
The bill would also:
• provide the human services commissioner the authority to indicate on a license whether the physical location of a foster care setting is the primary residence of the license holder;
• include the community residential setting license in the development of the quality outcome standards;
• modify home and community-based rates and standards;
• consolidate certain reporting requirements and modify the PCA program to remove inconsistencies in statute and comply with federal waiver and plan requirements; and
• modify the quality outcome standards to exclude customized living services.
A positive balance
Omnibus health care law focuses on reform, restoring cuts and delaying pending cuts
(view full story)
Published 5/25/2012
Looking out for children and families
Law offers new safe haven option for newborns; addresses adoption and child safety
(view full story)
Published 5/25/2012
Caring for those who care for others
Omnibus health and human services bill remains a moving target
(view full story)
Published 3/30/2012
Nursing home funding models
Should residents who can afford to, pay more?
(view full story)
Published 3/23/2012
Minnesota Index: Smoking in the state
Facts and statistics on tobacco use in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 3/16/2012
Reform measures draw support
Health and human services reductions draw sharp DFL rebuke
(view full story)
Published 8/11/2011
Delivery of health and human services
Governor says proposal puts too many people in health care jeopardy
(view full story)
Published 7/15/2011
Surgical precision
HHS budget — end-of-session sticking point
(view full story)
Published 5/20/2011
Advocating for patients and constituents
Nurses as legislators add their perspective to health care issues
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2011
Aiming for reform
House approves omnibus health and human services finance bill
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
Omnibus game and fish bill approved
Deer hunting, two-line fishing provisions push people’s buttons
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
Care for underserved communities
Community paramedic program is a ‘first of its kind’ proponents say
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
A hand up in climb out of poverty
Bipartisan initiative looks to fund expansion of ‘Circles of Support’ program
(view full story)
Published 4/1/2011
Feature: A healthier Minnesota
Long-term savings the goal of statewide improvement plan
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
At Issue: No access for all
Report says more oversight needed of state-funded non-emergency transportation
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011