The Assembly Minority Conference is calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to immediately convene the state’s Reimagining Long-Term Care Task Force, citing growing concerns over the well-being of residents in New York’s long-term care facilities.
Members of the conference sent a letter urging action, noting that the task force was created by law to examine the state’s long-term care system and develop recommendations for the governor and the Legislature. Although the task force was signed into law on Dec. 22, 2021, and officially took effect on Oct. 27, 2022, it has yet to meet or begin its work.
“Considering the many questions and concerns surrounding the state’s long-term care programs, there is no excuse for this task force to sit idle,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay. “It has a statutory obligation to address the serious flaws impacting residents of these facilities and to make recommendations for action. We are calling for this task force to meet now so it can begin to fix a broken system.”
Assemblyman Scott Jensen echoed those concerns, warning that delays could have serious consequences for patients and families.
“New York’s health care system is on the precipice,” Jensen said. “Every day the state fails to act brings us closer to being unable to provide critical care for millions of New Yorkers. The failure to convene this task force shows a disregard for our state’s seniors and for improving nursing home outcomes.”
The call for action follows recent allegations of widespread fraud and neglect at a Western New York nursing home, which prompted enforcement actions by the state attorney general. Lawmakers also noted that key questions remain unanswered regarding the state’s handling of long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the absence of an anticipated report detailing what occurred during the outbreak.
Ongoing staffing shortages in nursing homes have further strained the health care system, lawmakers said, leaving hospitals unable to discharge patients to appropriate long-term care settings. Combined with inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates, these challenges have contributed to low staffing levels, aging infrastructure, and gaps in care for vulnerable populations.
The Assembly Minority Conference argues that convening the task force would allow the state to bring together key long-term care stakeholders to begin developing solutions. Among those involved would be Colleen Rose, vice president of long-term care at Rochester Regional Health, who was appointed to the task force by the conference.
Lawmakers said the task force’s work is critical to shaping policy recommendations ahead of the 2023 legislative session and improving care for residents living in nursing homes across New York State.
