GCOA's Senior Issues Newsletter: Week of January 16, 2023
Senior Issues Weekly Newsletter January 20, 2023
2023 Legislative Session:
Joint Budget Hearings Week
Although the legislature did not convene this week, Tuesday-Thursday were reserved for joint budget hearings. On Thursday, GCOA provided testimony in an Appropriations subcommittee (pictured above).
The daily schedule at the Capitol as well as live streams of hearings and other pertinent information related to happenings under the Gold Dome can be found at legis.ga.gov .
Keep reading for updates on the 2023 CO-AGE priorities.
In this Issue:
GCOA was represented at Georgia's 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Service at the State Capitol last Friday. All state offices were closed on Monday in observance of the holiday. This year's theme was "It Starts With Me." Dr. King's universal message of service is carried out through organizations like CO-AGE.
GCOA Continues to Advocate for In-Home Care and Community Services
Home and Community Based Services provide support for older Georgians to remain at home as long as possible by providing home modifications, personal assistance, meals, transportation and other services. The current waitlist for HCBS is over 6,000.
Debra Stokes and Eve Anthony provided testimony in the House Appropriations Human Resources Subcommittee on Thursday, January 19th. They provided the subcommittee with an overview of GCOA, explained the importance of HCBS funding for the older adult population, and gave real life examples of the impact that these services make. CO-AGE is not requesting any funding for the Amended FY 2023 budget but is looking ahead to the FY 2024 budget with our $10 million ask to eliminate the waitlist.
Allow Older Georgians to Have Ample Access to Care in Assisted Living Communities
While Assisted Living Communities and large Personal Care Homes provide alternatives to nursing homes, the reality is that many Georgians cannot afford private pay assisted living communities or large personal care homes. Because of this, a number of older adults with limited means, including those living in affordable housing, end up in nursing homes when generally all they need is assistance with daily living due to changes in health status. The vast majority of nursing homes in Georgia are largely funded through Medicaid (federal and state funds). Under the Georgia FY ’22 budget nursing homes are reimbursed for each Medicaid recipient a base of $221 per day. Personal care homes are currently reimbursed $55 per day per resident for persons who qualify financially and meet “level of care” requirements.
A change in legislation would allow for older adults with limited means to have access to care provided in assisted living settings and larger personal care homes
A bill specific to Georgia has been drafted. CO-AGE is in the process of identifying a bill sponsor.
Teledentistry Under the Umbrella of Telehealth Would Benefit Those Who Have Little to No Access to Oral Care
California was a pioneer state in teledentistry. In 2010, Dr. Paul Glassman created the Virtual Dental Home (VDH) to use telehealth technology in the delivery of oral healthcare to schools and long- term care facilities. The VDH uses the store-and-forward method by providing a secure cloud-based dental software where community dental hygienists and assistants can upload patient records for a dentist or specialist to view at a later time. After a six-year study with more than 3000 patients, the VDH model of care delivered more preventative care with interventions at less cost per patient than California’s current Medicaid system. This model has shown great potential.
A bill for teledentistry specific to Georgia has been drafted. CO-AGE is in the process of identifying a bill sponsor.
Many Georgians Do Not Have Access to an Employer Provided Retirement Program
Legislation would create the state-run program for caregivers and working Georgians to have an opportunity to offer employees a benefit of a retirement savings. Several other states have passed or have been in the process of considering legislation for this type of program.
The CO-AGE Work and Save priority was recently highlighted in an article by AARP titled, "Efforts Under Way to Expand Options for Saving at Work." Read it HERE.
A bill has been drafted. CO-AGE is in the process of identifying a bill sponsor.
Save the Date
Space is limited. Registration is almost FULL.
Sponsorships
Would you like to be a virtual sponsor for the Senior Week 2023 Webinar?
The webinar will stream live on the GCOA Facebook page on February 16th. Viewers will have the opportunity to hear from legislators, Aging Services speakers, sponsors and the 2023 Distinguished Older Georgian.
To sign up for a sponsorship, contact nikaela.frederick@gcoa.ga.gov
The deadline to submit your slide is January 27, 2023
© 2023 Georgia Council on Aging
47 Trinity Ave. SW, 1st Floor, Atlanta, GA 30334