New Jersey-2014-ACR247-Introduced

A Concurrent Resolution urging the President and the Congress of the United States to enact the "Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2015."

Whereas, Medicare plays an important role in providing access to quality health care services for senior citizens and people with disabilities, covering nearly 50 million individuals in the United State; and

Whereas, In 2011, the oldest cohort of the baby boomer population, roughly 80 million Americans, turned 65; and

Whereas, Approximately 10,000 baby boomers will reach the age of 65 every day until the year 2030; and

Whereas, Among people aged 65, two-thirds are projected to need long-term services and supports during their lifetime and many will require extensive long-term care through nursing homes and home health care; and

Whereas, Within the Medicare population, approximately eight million non-elderly individuals, or 17% of beneficiaries, are disabled; and

Whereas, Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other Medicare beneficiaries residing in underserved urban and remote rural areas where access to physicians are limited contribute to a rising influx of consumers needing quality nursing services because they: are more likely to live in poverty; are in poor health; or experience difficulties living independently and performing basic daily tasks; and

Whereas, Ensuring access to quality health care for Medicare populations is critical and cannot be achieved without maximizing all health care providers, including physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses (nurse practitioners, certified, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists); and

Whereas, Oftentimes, these health care professionals serve as primary care providers for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other Medicare beneficiaries; and

Whereas, Physicians assistants and advanced practice registered nurses are authorized to perform many services for Medicare beneficiaries, including ordering nursing home care, conducting face-to-face meeting for home health benefits, and prescribing medication; and

Whereas, However, Medicare law prohibits physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses from signing home health services plans or certifying Medicare patients for home health benefits; and

Whereas, Consequently, Medicare beneficiaries are required to arrange for additional office visits with a physician in order to receive home health services; and

Whereas, This restriction often causes delays, and as a result, Medicare beneficiaries in need of home health services are often discharged without proper home care, readmitted to nursing homes or sub-acute care facilities, or placed in more expensive assisted care setting; and

Whereas, The "Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2015" (H.R. 1342), sponsored by Representative Greg Walden (R-Oregon), would allow physician assistants and advance practice registered nurses to certify home health services and sign home health service plans; and

Whereas, Passage of the "Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2015" would ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive quality health care services in a timely and more cost-effective manner, increase the likelihood that senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other beneficiaries residing in underserved areas experience a higher quality of life, and reduce Medicare spending by decreasing beneficiary admissions to, and lengths of stay in, more expensive nursing homes or sub-acute care facilities; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The President of the United States and Congress are urged to enact the "Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2015" to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive quality health care services in a timely and more cost-effective manner, increase the likelihood that senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other beneficiaries residing in underserved areas experience a higher quality of life, and reduce Medicare spending by decreasing beneficiary admissions to, and lengths of stay in, more expensive nursing homes or sub-acute care facilities.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the President of the United States, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and every member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the President of the United States and Congress to enact the "Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2015" to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive quality health care services in a timely and more cost-effective manner, increase the likelihood that senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other beneficiaries residing in underserved areas experience a higher quality of life, and reduce Medicare spending by decreasing beneficiary admissions to, and lengths of stay in, more expensive nursing homes or sub-acute care facilities.