Regional Digest
Regional Digest
• Gov. Paul Cellucci’s administration has agreed to release nearly $2.5 million more in state funds for home care services, money that had been withheld because of a delay in passing this years’ budget. But Al Norman, executive director of Massachusetts Home Care, said the state should have released up to $8 million more. The money will go to provide services for about 900 elderly citizens, Norman said. The state Office of Elder Affairs said the FY00 budget for the program was approved at $11.7 million, but only $6.8 million was released since the budget was passed five months late, reported the Boston Herald. Advocates, however, said that releasing the full amount could bring hundreds more people into the program. The Office of Elder Affairs said no elders who had been receiving services had seen their services reduced.
• Advocates for the disabled in Arizona have filed a federal lawsuit against the state’s indigent healthcare system, alleging that its long term care program is failing to provide required in-home care attendants. As a result, clients of Arizona’s long term care system must go without needed daily care or must rely on friends and relatives, according to the suit. The Arizona Center for Disability Law filed the suit against the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and its director, Phyliss Biedess, on behalf of three disabled clients of the program, reported the Arizona Daily Star.
• Community Care of Western New York (Olean, NY), a non-profit home care agency, is acquiring the assets of Associated Home Care (Wellsville, NY). The company anticipates retaining the 11 employees of Associated Home Care, reported the Buffalo News. Community Care does business as Home Health Care of Southwestern New York and Comstock Hospice Care Network.
• The Georgia Association for Home Care (GAHC; Marietta, GA) was formally launched recently with the adoption of bylaws and the election of Sheila Gunter as chairman. Financial pressures caused by the interim payment system, and other factors, caused the Georgia Association of Home Health Agencies to become insolvent in June, GAHC said. In July, members voted to cease operations and affiliate with the National Association for Home Care (Washington) under a joint dues arrangement, said GAHC.
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