Of Special Note
ACTION REQUESTED! SB 602 directs the Bureau of Labor and Industry to appoint a wage board to address challenges with long-term care employee recruitment and retention. If you dig deeper in the bill you will find this bill actually sets to establish a prevailing wage rate for community based care and nursing facility employees. While we support wage increases of long-term care employees, LeadingAge Oregon opposes a prevailing wage approach. This bill is flawed and was introduced without collaboration from stakeholders such as employers or long-term care associations. This bill would increase operational costs without any additional financial resources directed by an agency that doesn’t regulate long-term care. Please contact Senator Gelser Blouin urging the Senate Committee On Human Services to vote NO on SB 602.
This week we focused on HB 2665 regrading temporary staffing agencies and eagerly await the 3/22/23 hearing to find out if this bill will move forward. LeadingAge Oregon was featured in The Lund Report and in McKnights addressing the issue.
Masking and COVID-19 Updates
Yesterday, via provider alert ODHS-23-017-CBC-NF, you received updated masking guidance that will become effective April 3, 2023. The updated state guidance reflects CMS’ guidance related to masking after known exposure, outbreaks and when community transmission level is high. Like CMS, this guidance also distinguishes between Nursing Facilities and Community Based Care settings. As a reminder any business or provider may still choose to implement their own more restrictive masking requirements.
On February 24, 2023, Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority hosted a webinar to discuss and answer questions related to the COVID19 and respiratory pathogens guidance that was initially published 1/12/23. If you missed that webinar you can find it here.
COVID-19 Vaccine requirements, testing and reporting remain in place. OHA is awaiting information and direction from Center for Disease Control and CMS before considering any additional changes.
DHS Provider Alerts You May Have Missed:
*Please note the State frequently modifies the alerts and it breaks the links provided below. If you have any issues, this link should always take you to all of the alerts.
ODHS-23-015-NF – MDS Transition iQIES MDS Preparedness Survey (NF’s MDS process and CASPER reports will be impacted by the CMS system change)
ODHS-23-017-CBC-NF – Updated Masking Guidance
ODHS-23-018-NF – ECHO Behavioral Health Community of Practice
Annual Conference: Registration is Open
2023 Annual Conference & Expo
Eagle Crest Resort
May 9-12, 2023
We look forward to seeing you! Register for the Annual Conference here
Learn more about the conference and submit your nominations in Excellence here (Last day to nominate is Friday, March 24, 2023)
Business Partners: Are you interested in participating in the Trade Show? A few booths are available, but will go fast. Contact Rob West [email protected]
CMS Releases Guidance for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11
CMS is preparing the public for the transition forward from the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and has outlined what to expect after this period ends. In a new fact sheet, CMS discusses COVID-19 testing, vaccines and treatments; telehealth services; and more.
HUD Publishes 2023 Annual Adjustment Factors
On March 9, HUD announced the Annual Adjustment Factors (AAFs) for 2023, which adjust rents for certain Section 8 housing assistance payment programs. HUD establishes the rent adjustment factors on the basis of Consumer Price Index (CPI) data relating to changes in residential rent and utility costs. The 2023 AAFs are effective March 9, 2023. More information is available here.
Older Adults 50+ Are Half of Nation’s Homeless Population
On March 8, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development held a hearing, “The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.” Witnesses were Jeff Olivet, Executive Director, U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, and Dr. Richard Cho, Senior Advisor for Housing and Services, HUD. Mr. Olivet called homelessness a “life-and-death public health crisis” and said that, over the course of a year more than 1.2 million people experience homelessness. “Older Americans—who face the same rising housing costs as everyone else, but often with fixed incomes and rising health needs—are one of the fastest-growing groups of people experiencing homelessness. Single adults over 50 now make up half of the homeless population, and if nothing changes in the next 15 years, Harvard University estimates that an additional 2.4 million seniors in the U.S. will have no access to affordable housing. Further, adults who experience homelessness age faster than their housed peers, with elevated rates of serious, chronic, and often avoidable medical conditions.
Seeking Ten Members for Pilot Survey Project
Resident Views has updated their survey platform to bring more insights to leaders in the Senior Care sector. Now they’re looking to pilot their updates with 10 Provider Member communities. This means your leadership team can gain actionable insights based on the experiences of your residents and employees at no charge! Typical clients spend $3500 annually, so consider this offer while it’s available. Visit their website to learn more about their services. When you’re ready to explore the pilot, complete this form. A team member will reach out to you shortly.
