Governor's Healthcare Reform Commission Issues Report

VHCA (9/13/2007)

This week the Governor’s Healthcare Reform Commission met and approved a draft report that was based on the recommendations of all the Work Groups.  The report will be put out for public comment and then sent to Governor Kaine after public comment is considered.  The Governor must then determine which of the recommendations he will put forth in legislation and in the next biennial budget to be considered by the 2008 General Assembly Session.

Recommendations for long term care include:

• Increase the number of personal care workers and their reimbursement.
• Implement a program for Medicaid Pay for Performance for Nursing Facilities.
• Implement the Money Follows the Person Demonstration.
• Support for Acute and Long Term Care Integration.
• Continue No Wrong Door.
• Establish a LTC Coordination Council.
• Establish a LTC Advisory Council.
• Require local LTC councils to include housing and transportation agencies.
• Conduct a study of the current network of community-based caregiver support organizations.

The Commission discussed the fact that the Commonwealth’s revenue shortfall will affect the ability of the Governor to move forward with all the recommendations that have an impact on the State Budget.  The Commission stressed that the report is intended to be a blueprint for state improvements in the health care area that can be implemented incrementally over several years.

You can access the full report online at www.hhr.virginia.gov. The Commission will receive public comments on the report until 5 p.m., September 27, 2007.