Resolve, To Support and Encourage the Expansion of Adult Family Care Services at Residential Care Facilities

Preamble. Whereas,  rural and coastal areas of Maine have experienced closures of nursing facilities, reducing the number of long-term care options and causing family stress; and

Whereas,  Maine has an aging population and the State must develop strategies to allow the population to age in place; and

Whereas,  residents of long-term care and residential care facilities want to age in place, remaining close to their families; and

Whereas,  couples with different acuity levels want to continue living together despite having different requirements for support; now, therefore, be it

Sec. A-1. The Department of Health and Human Services to increase residential care facility beds. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall determine the level of need for residential care facility beds in the State and correspondingly increase the number of MaineCare residential care facility beds by up to 40 beds to create greater availability of adult family care services. If the department determines more beds are required, it shall submit legislation to create the additional funding needed; and be it further

Sec. A-2. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)

Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147

Initiative: Provides funding for up to 40 beds in MaineCare residential care facilities to create greater availability of adult family care services in the State.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17
All Other	$562,912	$559,950
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$562,912	$559,950

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2015-16	2016-17
All Other	$937,088	$940,050
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$937,088	$940,050

Sec. B-1. Department of Health and Human Services to review reimbursement levels at residential care facilities. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall review the reimbursement levels at residential care facilities and create a new level of reimbursement that takes into account the greater levels of care required by residents in those facilities who choose to age in place. The review must take into account the financial position of facilities in those areas of the State that have recently lost a significant number of nursing facility beds; and be it further

Sec. B-2. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a demonstration program. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall develop a plan for a demonstration program in Washington County to establish facilities with suite-type settings that allow couples to remain living together when both spouses qualify for MaineCare benefits. The demonstration program must also take into account the needs of couples in which one or both spouses have a diagnosis of dementia; and be it further

Sec. B-3. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit a report regarding its findings, pursuant to this resolve, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 15, 2016.

summary

This resolve increases by up to 40 the number of available residential care beds in Maine. This resolve also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to review the reimbursement levels at residential care facilities to identify if an increase in MaineCare funding is necessary to account for higher levels of care at these facilities and directs the department to develop a demonstration program in Washington County for suite-type settings that allow couples to remain living together. The department is also required to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 15, 2016.