California State Senate Health Committee Unanimously Passes Legislation to Save California $175 Million Annually
May 03 2024 - 12:00PM
Business Wire
Policy would bring medically fragile children
out of the hospital and back home
The California State Senate Health Committee unanimously passed
SB1492 to make Medi-Cal reimbursement rates for private duty
nursing (PDN) eligible for Managed Care Organization (MCO) provider
tax distribution. The legislation, authored by Senator Caroline
Menjivar (D- San Fernando Valley), would provide a funding pathway
for continuous skilled nursing care in the home for medically
complex and vulnerable pediatric and adult patients under Medi-Cal.
Many of these patients require assistive technologies such as
ventilators and tracheostomies to sustain their lives, and PDN
provides long-term, comprehensive, and cost-effective care for
these patients at home.
“Patients across California are facing a crisis,” said Dean
Chalios, President & CEO of the California Association for
Health Services at Home (CAHSAH). “Currently, there are more than
1,000 families looking for in-home comprehensive care for their
children’s complex medical needs. These families are unable to take
their children home from the hospital due to a lack of available
PDN nurses.”
Improving Medi-Cal rates for PDN will help contain costs and
promote a better quality of life for California’s medically-complex
patients and their families. This legislation makes that possible,
through inclusion of PDN in the MCO provider tax.
“We urge Governor Newsom and the California legislature to bring
these patients home,” said Chalios. “As it stands now, families are
unable to get the care they need at home, which means patients are
staying in the hospital unnecessarily and occupying much-needed
hospital beds. Not only does this significantly impact the state
financially, but it is also not in the best interest of our
medically fragile patient population.”
According to a recent study conducted by David Maxwell-Jolly and
California Health Policy Strategies, this investment will save the
state of California $175 million annually through reduced
hospitalizations. SB1492 will be heard next in Senate
Appropriations Committee on Monday, May 6.
The California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH)
is a nonprofit association representing California's licensed home
health, home care, and hospice providers across the state.
Established in 1966, CAHSAH is one of the oldest and largest state
home care associations in the nation with a long tradition of
service dedicated to promoting quality home care and enhancing the
effectiveness of the home care industry.
CAHSAH represents hundreds of provider locations including
Medicare Certified and licensed home health agencies, hospices,
providers of non-medical personal care service in the home, home
infusion pharmacies, and over 100 affiliate members including
suppliers of products, computer companies, consulting firms, and
insurance providers.
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Christina Kiefer christina@sociospragency.com