Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Increase Reimbursement Rates for Home-based and Community-based Services

Sec. 1. Reimbursement for personal care and related services. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall amend its rules for reimbursement rates for personal care and related services provided under Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Sections 12, 19 and 96 and Chapter 5, Office of Elder Services Policy Manual, Section 63 to reflect 50% of the increase in rates noted in the final rates modeled in the February 1, 2016 report "Rate Review for Personal Care and Related Services: Final Rate Models" prepared for the department by Burns & Associates, Inc. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A; and be it further

Sec. 2. Unstaffed hours and waiting lists. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall estimate the number of hours, and the cost of those hours, of unmet need under Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Sections 12, 19, 40 and 96 and Chapter 5, Office of Elder Services Policy Manual, Section 63. The estimate must include individuals eligible for services but on a waiting list and individuals who are entitled to services that are eligible for reimbursement but are unable to locate individuals or agencies to provide those services; and be it further

Sec. 3. Rate study. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall conduct a rate study of the services in rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 40, Home Health Services. The rate study must be conducted by a 3rd party, account for provider costs related to the services in Section 40 and include stakeholders for all services included in Section 40; and be it further

Sec. 4. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters with findings and recommendations for changes to the rates identified in section 4 no later than January 1, 2017; and be it further

Sec. 5. 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 funds for a rate increase for personal care and related services.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17
All Other	$0	$2,773,600
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$2,773,600

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2015-16	2016-17
All Other	$0	$4,920,692
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$0	$4,920,692

Office of Aging and Disability Services Central Office 0140

Initiative: Provides funds for a rate increase for personal care and related services.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17
All Other	$0	$1,226,400
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$1,226,400

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 0138

Initiative: Provides for a one-time reduction of funding for projected savings in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17
All Other	$0	($4,000,000)
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	($4,000,000)

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2015-16	2016-17
GENERAL FUND	$0	$0
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	$0	$4,920,692
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$0	$4,920,692