6090-S AMS PRID YOWE 022

SSB 6090 - S AMD 423

By Senator Pridemore

PULLED 3/30/05

On page 46, after line 23, insert the following:

"(11) Within the funds appropriated in this section, the department shall study an alternative rate-setting system under which it would provide higher payment rates to homecare agencies that demonstrate (a) contractually obligated labor costs; (b) a higher percentage of revenue devoted to labor costs; (c) higher supervisor-to-client ratios; (d) best practices financial audits; (e) accurate reporting of hours; (f) ethical consumer marketing practices; (g) adequate levels of liability insurance; (h)compliance with labor and employment laws; (i) processes to enhance quality and safety; (j) meeting the needs of high acuity clients; (k) increasing client contact by agency staff; (l) identification of protocols and practices that are know to improve client outcomes; and (m) not using public funds to encourage or discourage employees to exercise their rights under section 7 of the federal labor relations act. The department shall appoint a five-member committee to assist it with the study, whose members shall include representatives from (a) a for-profit homecare agency; (b) a non-profit homecare agency; (c) an organization representing consumers of homecare services; (d) an organization representing homecare workers; and (e) the area agencies on aging. The department shall report its findings, and a cost-analysis of implementing the proposed system, to the health care and fiscal committees of the legislature by December 15, 2005."

Renumber the sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

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EFFECT: Directs the Department of Social and Health Services to study an alternative method for establishing homecare agency payment rates.