#5 Long-Term Care For Tennesseans 2005-2006

Meredith Bellson 26 posts Aug 17, 2007 2:40 PM

#5 Long-Term Care For Tennesseans 2005-2006 NOTE: POST A MESSAGE TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS! WHEREAS, Tennessee remains last among the fifty states in the percentage of citizens receiving home and community-based services through Medicaid; and WHEREAS, Tennessee’s ratio of nursing home spending to home and community-based services spending in 2003 was 148 to 1, nearly five times higher than the second highest state in the nation; and WHEREAS; Tennessee’s nearly $1 billion nursing home budget has yet to be fully reviewed for the potential to better manage the resources dedicated to the people it serves; and WHEREAS, Tennessee is ranked as sixth-highest among the fifty states in the percentage of adults with self-care or mobility limitations; and WHEREAS, according to the 2000 census, some 324,928 Tennesseans over 65 years of age have a disability and may have limitations in self-care and often need assistance from family and friends to live independently in the community; and WHEREAS, over a third of those over 85 have difficulties with the activities of daily living and have a three-fold greater risk of losing their independence, seven times the chance of entering a nursing home, and two and a half times the risk of dying compared with those 65 to 74 years of age; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that almost 40 percent of those over 85 will have no limitation in activity, but an estimated 22 percent of these citizens over 85 years of age will have lost their community living status and will reside in nursing homes, and that only 17 percent of those over 85 will be living in their own quarters with a spouse; and WHEREAS, the current home and community-based services programs provide only limited services which do not allow many individuals to avoid placement in nursing homes; and WHEREAS, the National Conference of State Legislatures has identified reform of long-term care as the number one way to save money in state Medicaid programs; and WHEREAS, Tennessee established in Tennessee Code Annotated 71-5-1402 that the State’s long- term care services plan should include several principles: • long-term care programs and services should enhance independence, dignity, choice, and individual well-being; • elderly and disabled Tennesseans should receive the care and services most appropriate for their needs and aspirations; • long-term care services should be provided at the most economical cost and in the least restrictive setting; and • funding for long-term care services should follow the consumer regardless of the delivery method utilized, and without regard to whether such services are categorized as medical care; and WHEREAS, Governor Phil Bredesen publicly stated a commitment to develop a long-term care system that makes economical sense and provides expanded home and community-based service options. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that TCSW applaud the 103rd General Assembly on reconfirming the commitment to developing a long-term care system that offers Choices for Care to individuals and their families and provides care in the most cost-effective manner; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that TCSW commend Governor Phil Bredesen on his commitment to balancing the State’s long-term care system; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that TCSW urge Governor Phil Bredesen to develop, in consultation with the appropriate state agencies, a new long-term care services plan to include: • the entire range of care and support, from respite care in the home and adult day care services to care in residential settings, including assisted care living facilities and nursing homes; • the elimination of artificial barriers to appropriate care, in the form of funding biases for one service over another, through the creation of a global long-term care budget or other mechanism; and • the enhancement of long-term care information, referral information, and coordination of services between the State’s Commission on Aging and Disability and area agencies on aging and disability in an effort to provide a single entry point for simple, consumer-friendly access to long-term care; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that TCSW advocate that this plan, including all necessary waiver amendments, should be developed as rapidly as possible for consideration by the next General Assembly in January 2006. • the entire range of care and support, from respite care in the home and adult day care services to care in residential settings, including assisted care living facilities and nursing homes; • [insert] • the elimination of artificial barriers to appropriate care, in the form of funding biases for one service over another, through the creation of a global long-term care budget or other mechanism; and • the enhancement of long-term care information, referral information, and coordination of services between the State’s Commission on Aging and Disability and area agencies on aging and disability in an effort to provide a single entry point for simple, consumer-friendly access to long-term care; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that TCSW advocate that this plan, including all necessary waiver amendments, should be developed as rapidly as possible for consideration by the next General Assembly in January 2006.

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