[NYAPRS Enews] Gov. Paterson Announces $175m In Long-Term Care Reforms

[Matt Canuteson]

 State of New York | Executive Chamber
David A. Paterson | Governor

For Immediate Release: May 13, 2009
Contact: Errol Cockfield | errol.cockfield at chamber.state.ny.us |
212.681.4640 | 518.474.8418
DOH Contact: Diane Mathis | dmm10 at health.state.ny.us | 518.474.7354

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $175 MILLION IN HEAL NY GRANTS TO SUPPORT
LONG-TERM CARE REFORMS

Funding Will Support High-Quality, Community-Based Services for Older
Adults and Individuals with Disabilities 


Governor David A. Paterson today announced the availability of $175
million in grants under the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law
of New York State (HEAL NY) to further reforms to New York's health care
system. This funding will support projects that provide an appropriate
level of long-term care services in settings that are viable
alternatives to nursing homes, such as assisted living programs and
assisted living residences. 

"Today's announcement supports a vision for long-term care that provides
New York's older adults and individuals with disabilities with increased
access to person-centered, community-based services," said Governor
Paterson. "In addition, this funding will continue to position the State
toward achieving our goal of greater health care accessibility for New
Yorkers through primary and preventive care by providing high-quality,
coordinated long-term care services."

Through a Request for Grant Applications (RGA), the New York State
Department of Health (DOH) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of
New York (DASNY) are seeking applications from various entities to
organize, finance, and develop alternatives for care through the
coordination of a variety of licensed residential long-term care
programs, the development of other residential options, and the
reduction of certified inpatient bed capacity in Residential Health Care
Facilities (RHCFs).

State Senator Thomas K. Duane said: "Our stated goal in this year's
budget was to shift resources into home and community-based services,
and to move health care in New York State toward a more primary and
preventive care framework. This funding, which focuses on long-term care
for older adults and individuals with disabilities, is an important step
forward toward achieving that goal."

Eligible applicants for HEAL NY Phase 12 grants include nursing homes,
certified home health agencies, assisted living programs, assisted
living residences, adult homes, enriched housing programs, local
municipal governments, continuing care retirement communities,
not-for-profit senior housing corporations, not-for-profit consortia
comprised of any of the above, or a corporation or entity specifically
established to develop alternative long-term care initiatives. 

DOH Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. said: "Many of today's older
adults and individuals with disabilities don't require the
medically-intensive services of a nursing home but prefer services in a
more home-like, community-based setting. This funding will support
services provided in these alternative settings, along with better
coordinated care and better integration of primary and acute care
services."

DASNY Executive Director Paul T. Williams, Jr. said: "This visionary
program will enhance quality of care and quality of life for thousands
of New Yorkers, while also making the delivery of these critical
services more cost-effective. In many cases, community-based
alternatives for long-term care are a viable and sensible alternative to
nursing home settings, and this new program will help provide the
funding to make them a reality."

Grant applications are due July 14. It is expected that projects
receiving awards through this RGA will employ multiple agencies and make
use of local resources available to develop housing with coordinated
medical services and licensed residential programs. Corresponding
downsizing of RHCF capacity is required in order for funding to be
awarded.

A conference for potential HEAL NY Phase 12 applicants will be held on
May 22 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Meeting Room 6 on the Main Concourse of
the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The RGA can be viewed on DOH's website
at www.nyhealth.gov. 

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New York State | Executive Chamber | press.office at chamber.state.ny.us
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