Res. No. 1783-A

Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign H.R. 1670/S.683, legislation known as “The Community Choice Act,” which would reduce reliance by senior citizens and persons with disabilities on nursing home care by increasing their access to community-based services.

By Council Members Nelson, Avella, Comrie, Felder, Fidler, Foster, Gerson, Jackson, James, Koppell, Mealy, Seabrook, White Jr., Brewer, Barron, Gentile, Stewart, Liu, Gonzalez, Yassky, Baez, Arroyo, Vacca, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Eugene, Ferreras, Dickens, Sanders Jr. and the Public Advocate (Ms. Gotbaum).

                     Whereas, According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, there are approximately 1.6 million persons who are cared for in nursing homes each year; and

                     Whereas, Many individuals who may currently require nursing home care would prefer to have more care options, such as community-based care, so that they can remain in their own homes; and

                     Whereas, The Community Choice Act, H.R.1670/S.683, is currently before the United States Congress and would increase access to community-based services and other supports for persons with disabilities and senior citizens; and

                     Whereas, Specifically, according to the National Council For Community Behavioral Healthcare (NCCBH), the Community Choice Act would provide individuals who are eligible for nursing home services or other institutional care with equal access to community-based services, which would include attendant services and supports; and

                     Whereas, The National Association of the Physically Handicapped (NAPH) indicates that the Community Choice Act would provide people real choice in long-term care options by reforming Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid), thereby eliminating  the current bias for institutional care by Title XIX; and

                     Whereas, According to the Center for Disability Rights (CDR), the Community Choice Act would allow those eligible to use reimbursement funding under Title XIX access to various services and supports which would make remaining in the community a real option; and

                     Whereas, The Community Choice Act would also provide enhanced federal matching funds to help states develop long-term care infrastructure and fiscal programs to promote home and community-based services; and

                     Whereas, The Community Choice Act would create a demonstration project to evaluate service coordination and cost-sharing approaches for those eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare services; and

                     Whereas, According to the NAPH, the Community Choice Act would also provide individuals eligible for nursing facility services with new choices for care, and would also offer those eligible for Intermediate Care Facility Services for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR) many new alternatives for their care and treatment; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign H.R. 1670/S.683, legislation known as “The Community Choice Act,” which would reduce reliance by senior citizens and persons with disabilities on nursing home care by increasing their access to community-based services.

MB/KS

LS 6615

6/3/08