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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10271987 - S.1 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on October 27, 1987 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Torlakson, McPeak NOES: None ABSENT: Supervisor Schroder ABSTAIN: None ---------------------------------------------=-------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: Long-Term Care Supervisor Sunne W. McPeak submitted the attached proposed Long-Term Care Legislative Program for the Board' s consideration. She also submitted the attached report and recommendation relating to the feasibility of the Contra Costa Health Plan sponsoring a long-term care insurance plan. Supervisor McPeak also recommended that County Counsel be requested to prepare an explanation of the County' s need for State authorization to allow local property tax incentives for nursing homes. Board members being in agreement, IT IS ORDERED that the recommendations of Supervisor McPeak relative to a proposed long-term care legislative program are APPROVED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Health Services Director is REQUESTED to report on the feasibility of the Contra Costa Health Plan sponsoring a long-term care insurance plan. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that County Counsel if REQUESTED to prepare appropriate information on the need for property tax incentives. cc: County Administrator Health Services Director County Counsel hereby certify that this Is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: -?7, 1917 PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator By , Deputy BOARD OF SUPEBVIS®RSi /o-27 -rr7 MOM: C Ilia St1NNE WRIGHT NC PEAK Costa DATE'. C October 20 , 1987 SUBJECT: Long-Term Care Legislative Program SPEC 1 F 1 C RftM4 k5i,fy6RAWENDAT 1 ON(S) & BACKGROUND Alm JUSTIFICATION Adopt the following proposals as part of a long-term care legislative program for 1988 to address the growing crisis in unavailability of nursing home beds for Medical patients: Request the Legislature to: 0 Enact higher Medi-Cal reimbursement rates for those skilled nursing facilities which enter into an agreement with the county to accept their fair share of Medi-Cal patients for at least a five- year period. a Authorize county and city government to require facilities to accept Medi-Cal patients for at least 20 years as a condition of approval in land use permits . ® Consider increase in reimbursement rates for skilled nursing facilities based on quality of care performance standards for those institutions continuing to accept Medi-Cal patients . a Provide additional "bonus payment" to skilled nursing home facilities which are disproportionate ;providers or which are willing to take greater than their fair share of Medi-Cal patients. 0 Authorize counties to provide property tax reduction incentives for skilled nursing home facilities which are disproportionate providers or which are willing to accept greater than their fair share of Medi-Cal patients. ® Investigate incentives necessary to encourage wider availability of long-term care insurance in the private sector. ® Explore the feasibility of state-sponsored, long- term care insurance programs ( including tax exemptions for contributions to a long-term care % plan) CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: _ YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATUREIS): TION OF BOARD ON _ APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANI&Mg (ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: . ._ NOES:_ AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: O UPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED PHIL BATC R, CLERK OF THE BOARD 00- SUPERVISORS FSUPERVISORS A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X382/7_$3 BY-- PUTY Long-Term Care Legislative Program October 20, 1987 Page 2 o Ensure through regulations and financial incentives that alternatives to skilled nursing facilities ( adult day health care, home care, in-home supportive services, etc. ) are viable care options in a long-term care insurance plan. ® Enforce long-term care facility regulations without being excessively punitive to long-time operators which discourages them from accepting Medi-Cal patients . BACKGROUND On October 8, 1987 , the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care held hearings in Contra Costa County on "Discrimination in Nursing Home Admissions" to examine the problem of the lack of skilled nursing facilities accepting Medi-Cal patients. The Health Services Department (particularly Mark Finu.cane and Julie Peck) worked very hard to ensure the hearings were most productive. The proposed legislative program above is the result of reviewing the testimony provided and previous county positions. I personally think it is most critical to urge state action on ( a) enacting higher reimbursement rates for nursing homes willing to take their "fair share" (or even bonus for accepting greater than their "fair share" ) and (b) establishing a long-term care insurance plan sponsored by the state. Also, it should be noted that the Governor has repeatedly vetoed increases for nursing home rates and, therefore, a concerted effort must be made to get the cooperation of the Administration. We must act immediately to prevent the problem from getting worse. In the past ten months, five skilled nursing facilities have either converted to private pay or have gone out of business entirely. Approximately 154 beds previously available to Medi-Cal patients Izave been eliminated. T°. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: SUNNE WRIGHT MC PEAKD)ntra Cha DATE; Introduced October 27, 1987 , for Action on November 3, 1987 Cuirity SUBJECT Amendment to Long-Term are Recommendation ECIF1C REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S ) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION Request the Contra Costa Health Plan and its Advisory Board to explore the feasibility of sponsoring a long-term care insurance plan. Such a long-term insurance plan would be available to all residents, and premium payments should be tax deductible. Further, a feasibility review should involve input from the Advisory County on Aging, the Gray Panthers, AARP (Association of Retired Persons) , volunteering private sector companies, and geriatric specialists. Also, request the CCHP to report back to the Board within the next six months as to the viability of pursuing this concept. BACKGROUND The aging population, coupled with lack of sufficient public resources to care for the frail elderly, forces new solutions. Most health insurance plans ( including Medicare) do not provide coverage for long-term care and other services for the frail elderly. .Other than MediCal, which is seriously underfunded, there are very few insurance plans which cover nursing home stays, in-home supportive services, horde health care, adult day health care or hospice care. There is a need to encourage more individuals to plan ahead and purchase long-term care insurance for the future by making all or part of the premiums tax deductible. The tax deduction would probably require some additional legislation. It makes good sense to urge the Contra Costa Health Plan to manage as well as sponsor a long-term insurance program. Management of services rendered under a comprehensive long- term insurance plan would insure the most appropriate kind of care (ranging from skilled nursing facility to home care) without patients being directed to inappropriate. options because of economic reasons. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: _x- YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE PPROVE ....-._._ OTHER SIGNATURE S : ACTION OF BOARD O APPROVED AS RECOMAICNoC- OTHER -• VOTE OF SUPE'RV I SOQ2S HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS (ABSENT _ ) CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES'. AND E RED ON THE M i I`JUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT; ABSTAIN:__ OF SUPERV S ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED PHIL BATCHELOR. ERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND C TY ADMINISTRATOR D TY Amendment to Long-Term Care Recommendation Introduced October 27 , 1987 Page 2 for Action on November 3, 1987 Attached is an advertisement for the special senior plan in our Contra Costa Health Plan. Imagine a similar ad campaign that markets long-term insurance. While a state- sponsored long-term insurance plan should be pursued, it is worth investigating the feasibility of sponsorship here with our CCHP in order to identify the issues and possibilities. Seniors need all th covers . . . and moreIII' ^ � t r s':•N:.. U 1 OLS C - �.fs r.. i ............. - V 'YX `L nirH eM , F.. K:.. and .L,. :r::. fi. . 'rJd: �..: <.: � real �l � ,�,: F ' .......... ........... .............. a. A;- .:.L o:M .. healthy choice for senior citizens .�� �r:>' .;t: r•, p :4 n• �3 a< .t } q ,a . 7 4.:. d tion to I Yx.: �t� rH offers had al o ealth o e s ou r �..N n Y v rservices: ...;care covered e e No Medicare deductibles © No copayments f;;.: F:;, ; � .. 1: e No claim forms c Choice of your own personal physician from among our to edical staff. o Emergency care throughout the U.S. ' ... ...... u. L.: niorHealih Plus, our higher option plan, - -- �� � ' '':• �. :ers all the benefits of the Basic Plan Plus: Prescriptions fully covered CONTRA COSTA . Eye and hearing exams HEALTH PIAN * Glasses and hearing aids 3052 Willow Pass Road Concord, CA 94519 * Basic dental services *Worldwide coverage for emergency care sally, Seniors can rest assured that your r alib needs are covered. ; Yes, Jean, I would like more information about R or write us today for more information. ! CONTRA COSTA HEALTH PLAN'S SeniorHealth Programs k for Jean Fehr-SeniorHealth Representative. ❑ Please call me to schedule a presentation (415) 6714550 1 ❑ Please send me more information 1 1 Name---' ---------------------------'----------- i FORDABLE CARE PLUS SERVICE 1 Address_- 1 1 City ------__-i—State--Zip--- e rally qualified health maintenance organization ! Phone jBest time to call: ❑ Weekdays ❑ Weeknights 0 Weekends