Transcript NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE VETERANS HOMES …

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE
VETERANS HOMES
“Caring for America’s Heroes”
CAPITOL HILL ISSUES AND ANSWERS
February, 2012
Legislative Session Overview
• Review of NASVH 2012 Priorities
• DC update and HR 2074 Overview by
Peter Dickinson
• HR 2074 Call to Action by Maine Veterans
Homes’ John Larouche and Kelly Kash
• Legislative Packet Final Review and
Assembly
Prior To Your Congressional Visits
• Review all documents:
– Background Paper for HR 2074
– Letter to Senators Murray and Burr
– Memo on how to move the Senate letter
– Sample Thank You letter
– Meeting with your Legislator Overview
– Feedback form
– Capitol Campus Map
– Cost of Care to the VA and Reception Invite Card
• Have a good understanding of the NASVH priorities
• Understand the impact current state 70% legislation has
on your home and future state
Priority 1
Modification of Enhanced Per Diem Program
(70% Service Connected Veterans Legislation)
• Work on this legislation dates to 2006
• Action and follow up needed NOW
• HR 2074 will be discussed in greater detail
Priority 2
100M Veterans Homes Construction
Grant Program
• President’s Budget is 85M
• State economies are showing signs of
recovery
• Construction brings jobs and state
legislatures are willing to invest
• States that deferred projects are going back
on the cue
• List of new projects is growing
• Current Priority list leaves
Priority 3
Publishing Final Rules that Address Adult Day
Health and Domiciliary Care
• Rules have been in the VA concurrence process for
over two years
• Only one active ADHC in the country, Long Island
VH
• Adult Day Health and Domiciliary Care are critical,
now more than ever, in addressing recently
returning veterans and preventing homelessness
• ADHC is a needed care line to enhance quality of
life and keep veterans living at home longer
Priority 4
Consolidation of Duplicative Surveys for State
Veterans Homes by VA
• Over 50% of State Veterans Homes have two
compliance surveys each year; DVA and CMS
• Surveys are largely repetitious, resulting in
unnecessary duplication and expense to the
taxpayer
• CMS surveys 186 care standards, while VA
surveys 158 care standards
• All of VA’s surveyed standards approximate CMS
standards with the exception of eight.
Next Steps
• Legislative Reception
– 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
– Cannon Office Building, Room 334
• Hill Visits Tracking Form
– Complete a Form for Each Visit
– Return to Alfie Alvarado ASAP
• NASVH and You
– Assist with Follow-Up Actions
– Facilitate Next Year’s Legislative Agenda
• Thank You Notes
– Revisit Your Visit
– Revisit Your Legislative Agenda
– Reference Your Visit Next Year
Questions and Answers
Contact:
Alfie Alvarado
NASVH Legislative Officer
[email protected]
(360 791-4339
Together, we are…
“Caring for America’s Heroes”