HB 2863 - DIGEST

     Finds that quality care cannot be assured by state mandates alone.  Sufficient resources must be dedicated to long-term care services to facilitate competitive salaries that will attract and retain quality caregivers.

     Recognizes that past failure to provide such resources has contributed to caregiver recruitment and retention problems in all long-term care settings.  These problems can only degrade the continuity and quality of care for those persons dependent upon such care.

     Finds that state government has assumed the responsibility of purchasing long-term care services for a large proportion of those receiving such services.

     Finds that to ensure that state government's expectations concerning the quality of long-term care services are met, its payments for those services should be fair and reasonable and adequately compensate the current costs incurred in providing those services.

     Requires the secretary of state to submit this act to the people for their adoption and ratification, or rejection, at the next general election to be held in this state, in accordance with  Article II, section 1 of the state Constitution and the laws adopted to facilitate its operation.