Legislative Update
AALC remains actively engaged in the skilled nursing assessment/rate-reform negotiations, which continue to progress closer towards an agreement between the industry and HFS. Because of the AALC’s successful 2019 effort to “re-link” supportive living Medicaid rates to skilled nursing rates, Supportive Living communities are currently well-positioned for a much-needed increase when the nursing home legislation is finalized. AALC this week met with the Senate President's staff to discuss the impact of the most recent draft nursing home rate reform legislation.
AALC this week also presented to the Legislative Medicaid Working Group in support of House Amendment 1 to HB 4658 which reforms and strengthens the Nurse Agency Licensing Act. Reflecting input from a diverse group of stakeholders, the Amendment enhances protections for health care workers and increases transparency in Agency contracting practices. Check out our fact sheet by clicking here.
At the federal level, AALC has been working closely with the Illinois Congressional delegation, especially Senators Durbin and Duckworth, to protect the SNAP authorizations of our SL communities. AALC has been seeking to make permanent the limitations provision in the 2018 Farm Bill, which prevents FNS from withdrawing the SNAP-authorization of SLPs based on any determination that they are institutions. That limitations provision has been extended by various appropriations bills and continuing resolutions until March 11, 2022.
AALC is actively working with the Illinois delegation for a permanent or, in the alternative, a long-term legislative fix as part of the FY22 appropriations legislation that is likely to pass in the next two weeks. If our provision is included, it would protect the continued participation of SL communities in the SNAP program for at least five years. Whether this substantive fix will be included in the final bill remains to be seen, but Senator Durbin’s office, in particular, is working hard to get AALC’s proposed legislation across the finish line.
The AALC lobbying team continues to monitor, protect, and advance Supportive Living interests during the spring legislative session that is scheduled to adjourn on April 8th.
