With a Republican veto-proof majority in the Senate and a strong Republican majority in the House of Representatives, North Carolina’s legislature was able to successfully pass many new pieces of legislation. The legislature produced a budget on the earliest deadline in recent history and passed some important legislation, supported by ALFA’s state affiliate, the North Carolina Assisted Living Association (NCALA.)

The new budget, the Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2011.,contains some NCALA requested language, including a provision that allows providers who do not participate in the Medicaid PCS program or accept state or county special assistance to not be subject to the requirements of the Medicaid 1915(i) waiver for PCS. The law also states that adult care homes will not receive any further cuts during the year; however Medicaid providers will be subject to a 2 percent cut.

The legislature also passed NCALA supported HB397, which amends current penalty requirements by creating new distinctions between types of violations, and HB808,which allows the state to focus inspection efforts on communities that need improvement. NCALA also was involved in HB474, Protect Adult Care Home Residents, which establishes new medication aide training requirements. NCALA met with Rep Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake) several times and was instrumental in the final version of the bill, which protects consumers without putting an excessive burden on providers.

Adult care homes were also given greater flexibility with the discharge of residents under HB677, Discharge Adult Care Home Residents. The law develops a team approach to placing residents whose needs can no longer be met by the senior living community in which they reside. Prior to this bill, communities had a difficult time placing some residents in new homes. “This legislation was helpful for a really tough situation,” explained Peggy Smith, Executive Director of the North Carolina Assisted Living Association, “It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it is extremely difficult.”

Even though the session is over, big decisions are still being made within North Carolina’s state government. The Department of Health and Human Services is still working on an official decision that may affect senior living providers’ Medicaid eligibility and reimbursement rates. NCALA is committed to preserving the best parts of current programs and protecting the vulnerable population they serve.

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