BILL NUMBER: S8926

SPONSOR: ROBACH
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend chapter 371 of the laws of 2009 amending the public
health law relating to the residential care off-site facility demon-
stration project, in relation to extending the effectiveness thereof

 
PURPOSE:

To extend the demonstration project that allows for the provision of
physical, occupational and speech therapy by a residential health care
facility at an off-site location until June 2021.

 
SUMMARY:

This bill extends the residential care off-site facility demonstration
project until June 2021.

 
              

EXISTING LAW:

Existing law has established the "Residential care offsite facility
demonstration project", as amended by chapter 159 of the laws of 2012.
Under the demonstration project, the Department of Health would approve
up to three residential health care facilities to provide physical,
occupational and speech therapy, as well as related educational
services, at an off-site facility as a means to assess reimbursement
methodologies and delivery methods related to such services.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Demonstration programs allow the State to test innovative approaches to
care delivery that would often be impossible or subject to burdensome
administrative requirements. In this case, provision of physical therapy
and other services outside of a nursing home will broaden the range of
care and treatment residents are able to access.  For example, a part-
nership between the RHCF and a non-profit health club or recreation
facility would allow physical therapists to use equipment such as weight
machines and Swimming pools. This would allow the therapists to use
methods that may speed recovery and improve the quality of life for
residents who would otherwise not have the opportunity to access to such
comprehensive care. Speedier recoveries and maintenance of a generally
higher level of health among nursing home residents may in turn save the
State money since an overwhelming proportion of long term care in that
setting is government financed.

The success of this program over the past few years has justified that
it be extended until June 2021.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A.7620 of 2015: Signed chap. 32
A.9948 of 2012: Signed chap. 159

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire June 30, 2021
when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.