Equal Choice bill could help seniors avert nursing homes
The Legislature is considering a bill, which I support, that would allow disabled seniors who are Medicaid eligible to receive health care in the comfort of their own homes, rather than being placed in a nursing facility. An Act Regarding Equal Choice of Long Term Care (S 676), also known as the Equal Choice Bill, is both compassionate and fiscally sensible, and will improve the lives of families and individuals who require some type of nursing services.
For many of the Commonwealth’s senior citizens who do not require the higher level of care that nursing homes provide, the Equal Choice Bill grants freedoms that will have a profound impact on their daily lives. The bill, which is currently before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, will allow many seniors to choose whether to receive care in an institution or home setting, providing the cost of home care does not exceed that of institutional care. Moreover, if the legislation is enacted, the state would have to spend at least half as much on community, or home-based care, as it does on nursing home care.
Seniors and their families should have the option to receive meaningful health care in their own homes. This would greatly enhance the quality of life for many, and would contribute to our communities as a whole. I firmly believe that it is a disservice to promote institutionalization when, in many cases, appropriate care can be administered at home. The simple pleasures of waking up in one’s own bed or enjoying an evening in front of the fireplace with the grandchildren cannot, and should not, be ignored.
In 1988, the state Medicaid program spent $1.18 billion on institutional medical care, compared to $118 million on home care. These numbers show that that state has clearly favored nursing home placement over community-based alternatives. While nursing homes will continue to play an integral role in providing an array of important services, we must open the doors to greater flexibility for the benefit of our seniors.
The Equal Choice Bill is geared to those who do not otherwise require institutional care, but who are in need of some medical assistance. The legislation is a way in which the Commonwealth can provide parity of medical services for seniors. The United States Supreme Court ruled in 1999 that the unjustified segregation and institutionalization of people with disabilities is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If the state steers senior citizens into nursing homes without providing alternatives, it may be in violation of the "equal choice" ruling.
The Equal Choice Bill allows us to support those who wish to remain living in an independent environment, all the while maintaining their comfort and dignity. Establishing this option is another positive step toward sensible health care, which I am pleased to support. As always, please feel free to contact me (413-442-6810) with any questions you may have about this, or any other state-related matter.
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