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The Senate Committee on Human Services recently submitted the Interim Report relating to the study of long-term care in Texas. The report is a result of the charge by Lt. Governor Perry to study long-term care (nursing homes) as the number of older Texans age 60 or older is projected to swell to 7.5 million by 2030, which is an increase of 176% from the year 2000. This statistic highlights the critical importance of planning for the state's system of long-term services and supports. The recommendations of the report were based on testimony and suggestions from state agencies, organizations and other interested persons.
The Committee made several recommendations for legislation to be considered by the Legislature in 2001 regarding long-term care, including:
* Recommend that the Legislature increase funding for the full range of home and community-based services, including adult day care, home health services, respite services, attendant care and other services.
* Revamp the criminal history background check process for long-term care employees by expanding the number of employees covered under such requirements and expediting access to background information.
* Add direct care staff employed by home health agencies, MHMR, and other providers, as appropriate, to the list of employees covered by the Department of Human Services Employee Misconduct Registry.
* Allow for-profit nursing facilities to purchase liability insurance from the Joint Underwriting Association.
* Provide tuition assistance for licensed vocational nursing students who agree to practice in long-term care settings.
* Recommend that the Legislature increase funding for nursing home reimbursements.
* Provide a franchise tax credit for employers that contribute to long-term care insurance for their employees, employees' spouses or parents, equal to 20% of the costs incurred by the employer, with a maximum credit of $5,000 or $100 per each employee covered by the plan, whichever is lower.
The Legislature will consider many bills that relate to the issue of long-term care. I would be interested in knowing what you feel is the biggest problem nursing homes experience. I will reference your comments as nursing home legislation comes before the House for debate and vote.
State Representative Ron Clark
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
(903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474
(512) 475-3767 (fax)
ron.clark@house.state.tx.us
http://www.grayson.edu/district62/RonClark.html
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