Home Care For All

Mass Senior Action Council’s goal is Home Care For All – We support the implementation of the Equal Choice law that requires the state to provide long term care in the least restrictive setting. In order to achieve this, MSAC supports the funding of Community First. Community First will diminish the state’s reliance on nursing homes and invests in expanded community services. We support full funding for programs that expand financial eligibility for homecare like the Enhanced Community Options Program (ECOP).

Steps For Success
No More Cuts! Improve Financing for Community-Based Long-Term Care Supports.
· 2008 9c Cuts to home care set the programs back to 1990 levels.
· Restore Home Care Funding to Pre-9c cut levels.
· At least 14 people can receive home care for the cost of 1 person in a nursing home.

Implementation of the Long-Term Care Options Counseling Program
(4000-0600)
· Approximately 120,000 people are admitted to nursing homes each year. 100,000 of these are MassHealth members leaving hospitals.
· There are only 3 pre-admissions screening programs in the State.

Improve Access To Necessary Home and Community-Based Services
· 6 people can participate in the ECOP program for the cost of 1 person in a nursing home.
· Implement Training and Certification of home care workers on a state wide basis.
· Return purchased services to Pre-9c Cut funding.

Home Care Is Most Desired and Cost Less



Two Home Care Programs save the State $335 million annually!!
Both the Enhanced Community Options Program (ECOP) and the Choices Program cost much less than nursing home care. These savings should be reinvested in community-based programs.