AARP in Your State

June 2008

Infection protection – Lawmakers are weighing legislation that would require every hospital in the state to report hospital-acquired infections within 72 hours of diagnosis. In April the Senate passed the bill (S 2382), and the House referred it to the Health, Education and Welfare Committee.  One in every 20 patients in U.S. hospitals develops an infection, which often stalls recovery and is sometimes even fatal. The legislation aims to reduce the rate by requiring public disclosure.  “Infections in hospitals are a growing and serious problem,” says Kathleen Connell, AARP state director. AARP Rhode Island testified in support of the bill and is now asking members to urge legislators to support the measure. To find a listing for your representative, go to www.sec.state.ri.us.

April 2008

Wiser spending – AARP Rhode Island is urging lawmakers to require the state to spend half of its long-term care budget on home- and community-based care by 2012. Such services, which typically are less expensive than nursing home care, could help more Rhode Islanders remain in their own homes as they age. Lawmakers earmarked $1.3 million in the 2008 budget for home- and community-based services. In addition, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri, R, wants to see that some nursing home residents go home and receive services there. Even so, lawmakers must do more to ensure that people needing long-term care receive appropriate services in the setting of their choice, says Kathleen Connell, AARP state director. Rhode Island spent 90 percent of its long-term care budget on nursing home care in 2005—a far cry from the 60/40 split some states have achieved.

November 2007

Timely care – The General Assembly passed legislation in June to streamline the application process for Rhode Islanders seeking Medicaid-funded home- and community-based care. The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, grants “presumptive eligibility” to people in immediate need of care, signaling to providers that the state will pay for services while determining if the applicant is eligible for Medicaid. This assurance has long been provided for nursing home care. As part of a state task force, AARP Rhode Island argued that providers of long-term care services delivered in homes or community settings need the same guarantee. Lawmakers recently set aside $1.3 million for home- and community-based care, and with this reform many state residents may find it easier to access those services.