The Situation Report | December 11, 2023
On Friday, December 8th Governor Hochul signed HCA legislation, S.1451/A.782. This legislation’s innovative approach leverages the state’s Hospital-Home Care-Physician Collaborative Program, public health law 2805-x to support initiatives to address disparities in health care access, treatment, and/or conditions of higher prevalence in certain populations such as racial and ethnic minority groups; persons with disabilities; women; the poor; and persons living in rural and other medically unserved and underserved geographic areas. The Governor’s signature was part of a legislative package to improve healthcare access for New Yorkers and eliminate health disparities.
State Senator James Sanders Jr. said,”Addressing health disparities is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in the future of our state. By empowering healthcare providers to collaborate and innovate, this bill has the potential to improve health outcomes for underserved populations and reduce overall healthcare costs.”
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said,”Thank you Governor Hochul for signing A.782/S.1451. Allowing hospitals, home health agencies, and other healthcare providers the opportunity to collaborate and innovate towards finding solutions to address existing health disparities can only help improve patient outcomes and draw us closer to our goal of healthier communities. I can’t wait to see the needle move forward to benefit New Yorkers.”
By authorizing programs of collaboration between hospitals, home care agencies, physicians, and other partners targeted at disparities, S.1451/A.782 encourages health care innovations designed to improve health outcomes for underserved persons and reduce health care costs within the state. Within these partnerships, home health providers are especially and uniquely positioned to provide culturally competent and person-centered interventions in the homes, neighborhoods and communities where people truly spend their lives, and experience the social determinants of health.
HCA will apprise members of the next steps and opportunities related to the implementation. We thank Governor Hochul for passing this legislation that we worked with the Medical Society of the State of New York.
The multibillion-dollar federal 1115 Medicaid waiver focused on diversity and addressing health disparities is anticipated soon—the timing is perfect to begin to explore and build collaborative models authorized by this legislation. HCA will be seeking grant support and is looking for opportunities to build and fund models described in the legislation.
HCA is committed to working to address health disparities and leads a multiyear, multilevel, and philanthropy-supported initiative in Addressing Health Disparities Through Home Care.
On our website, you can find free trainings, skills offerings, and approaches to assist your agencies in addressing health disparities. https://hca-nys.org/addressing-health-disparities-through-home-care/
The initiative covers a spectrum of components, including:
Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity Training
Enroll today in this on-demand training for all levels of home care and hospice staff to understand, recognize, and advocate for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture.
All home care, hospice, MLTC, CDPAP/FI, and Waiver Program recipients are encouraged to participate in this virtual health literacy education for patients through the Virtual Senior Center (VSC).
Assessment of Disparities and Interventions
HCA E&R in conjunction with IPRO led a statewide assessment to explore disparities and interventions in HCBS. As a result of this assessment, respondents requested more information in a variety of areas. In response, HCA has made several webinars available to fill the gaps identified in the assessment.
Mental Health Training
HCA in partnership with the New York State Office of Mental Health and the Finger Lakes Geriatric Center of the University of Rochester provided special training and educational curriculum for staff of home care agencies, hospice, MLTC, and community mental health provider staff to advance the skills and knowledge of staff and the agencies’ organizational practices and strategies for the care and support of patients who have mental health interdisciplinary needs.
Under this initiative, a new tool has been created to understand delirium, depression, and dementia. This tool is intended for use by case managers, personal care aides, caregivers, and home health aides. Join us on December 15th, from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm for a live run-through of the tool. Upcoming Webinar on A New Tool to Understand the 3 D’s: Dementia, Delirium, and Depression: Sign up here.
Translation Services
HCA E&R in partnership with Nascentia Health has piloted point-of-care translation services for English language-challenged and non-English speaking individuals receiving home care.
Population Care Coordination
HCA has engaged Duke University’s “Population Care Coordinator Program” to train and certify clinicians in population care coordination focused at the community, organizational and patient level.
Rural Primary Care Collaboration
A federally qualified health center (FQHC) and home care agency are collaborating to improve primary care access and interventions for individuals who do not have access or who face barriers to accessing primary care services out in the community.