This would normally be the week that Alliance members would be in Washington as part of the NHPCO Leadership Advocacy Conference and the NAHC March on Washington. In fact, we had Capitol Hill visits scheduled for today with health policy aides from our Congressional Delegation. Those events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, […]
Archive | Advocacy
Become an Advocate. Join the Legislative Committee.
Ever wish you could have a greater say in how laws and regulations are made? Here’s your chance! We’re seeking volunteers to join our Legislative Committee. This group meets every few weeks from January to June to review proposed legislation, recommend policy positions to the Board, and help develop our legislative strategy. Members are often […]
We advocate for home health care. Grassroots advocacy takes us from Concord to Washington, D.C. to advocate for policy decisions and regulations on behalf of those serving home care and hospice clients in New Hampshire. We can’t do it alone! and that is why we have the Hearts for Home Care program. Hearts for Home […]
NH Governor Recognizes Importance of Sepsis Awareness
On Aug. 16, Governor Chris Sununu signed a proclamation announcing September as “Sepsis Awareness Month” in New Hampshire. Sepsis is blanket term referring to a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, amputations and death. As many as 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented […]
DHHS Unveils Plan for CFI Managed Care
The NH Department of Health and Human Services released its implementation plan for Step 2 of Medicaid Managed Care. The plan calls for Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) or newly-formed PACE centers to manage all facets of medical care and long term care for Medicaid enrollees eligible for nursing homes or the Choices for Independence […]
DHHS Unveils Plan for CFI Managed Care
The NH Department of Health and Human Services released its implementation plan for Step 2 of Medicaid Managed Care. The plan calls for Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) or newly-formed PACE centers to manage all facets of medical care and long term care for Medicaid enrollees eligible for nursing homes or the Choices for […]
CMS Releases Draft Version of the HHCOP Interpretive Guidelines
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) has issued a draft version of the home health Conditions of Participation (CoPs) Interpretative Guidelines (IGs). CMS issued the IGs to the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) with a request for stakeholder feedback. CMS is unable to entertain individual comments and requests that aggregated […]
HHGM Rescue Bill
NAHC, Elevating Home, and the Partnership for Home Health offered what they are calling a “unified compromise proposal” to the House Ways and Means Committee in an effort to gain a withdrawal of the HHGM proposal from the CY2018 Home Health Prospective Payment System final rule. The CMS Final rule is expected to be released within […]
Be The Change!
JOIN ME IN DC If you’re interested getting into the nitty gritty of federal legislative and regulatory issues, there are two great options for quick trips to DC. The Council of State Home Care Associations Public Policy Summit on 9/11 or the Elevating Home Public Policy Leadership Forum on 9/27-28. I plan to attend both […]
Advocacy: Be Part of the Process
Advocacy: Be Part of the Process A key pillar of our mission is to advocate on behalf of our members at the State House. A new legislative session means welcoming returning members and educating new members on home care and the issues important to our patients and staff. To be effective, we need you! Be […]
NH State Senate Politics Heat Up
All eyes are on the presidential race, but a dramatic set of state senate races has also begun to emerge. Click on the candidate’s names to learn more about those seeking office in your district. Your challenge: Get to know your State Senator — before you ever need to ask for his or her […]
Kasier Offers Candidate Comparison
Snapshot of Where Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Stand on Seven Health Care Issues – Election 2016: Side-by-Side
New Hampshire’s Medicaid Private Duty Rates Increase April 1
NH DHHS has confirmed that Medicaid Private Duty Nursing rates will increase between 25% to 46% on April 1st. DHHS submitted a Medicaid State Plan Amendment to CMS which allows DHHS to introduce rate differentials for nights, weekends and intensive levels of care. The Association submitted comments supporting the State Plan Amendment. PDN reimbursement […]
Let’s Get Presidential Candidates Talking about Home Care
With the New Hampshire Presidential Primary fast approaching, candidates are swarming the Granite State. New Hampshire residents have the unique privilege of vetting our future president. There are so many opportunities to meet the candidates at town hall meetings, round table discussions and neighborhood living rooms. Let’s hear what the candidates have to say about […]
Press Hears Our Plea for Funding
The Union Leader, New Hampshire’s largest newspaper, used it’s platform to highlight the plight of lower income Granite State seniors in Garry Rayno’s column the State House Dome. In it Rayno draws attention to the CFI funding issue and alerted the public to a Press Conference on the issue spearheaded by the state’s senior, disabled […]
Opinion Piece Highlights CFI Funding
This week’s Concord Monitor, and the Laconia Citizen, ran an Op Ed written by Home Care Association of New Hampshire CEO Gina Balkus discussing the underfunding of CFI long term care services for the elderly in New Hampshire. Link to Op Ed in Concord Monitor Link to Op Ed in Laconia Citizen Union Leader: State […]
Association Members Visit Capitol Hill
Four association representatives and CEO Gina Balkus spent March 24th on Capitol Hill, visiting the offices of the NH Congressional Delegation. We met with Congresswoman Anne McLane Kuster and the health liaisons for Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte and Congressman Frank Guinta. Our visits were timely, as the House was crafting the SGR “doc […]
Ayotte Signs on to Renew Older Americans Act
Kelly Ayotte, (R- NH) has signed on to sponsor legislation has been introduced in the US Senate that would renew the Older American Act, which was first passed in 1965. This bill reauthorizes programs through 2018 and includes provisions that aim to protect vulnerable elders by strengthening the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program and existing elder […]