Alert: Prevent Service Cuts and Protect Consumer-Directed Programs as States Implement the New Home Care Rule

Take Action to Prevent Service Cuts and Protect Consumer-Directed Programs as States Implement the New Home Care Rule

September 5, 2014 – The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a new regulation governing home care services for people with disabilities and seniors. This new rule may impact some of your state’s long-term care programs, particularly “consumer-directed” programs where the person receiving services can hire his or her own worker (oftentimes family or close friends) and can direct the care provided by the worker.

People with disabilities, seniors and advocates must be knowledgeable about this rule and advocate to ensure your state implements this rule in a way that helps consumers and the important workers who provide services to them and does not cause unintended harms, such as cuts to services, dismantling of programs that allow consumers to control their own care, or further limiting this critical workforce.  

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law — together with the American Association of People with Disabilities, National Centers for Independent Living, National Disability Rights Network, and National Senior Citizens Law Center – has issued Action Steps for Consumers and Advocates Regarding the Home Care Rule and an accompanying summary Home Care Rule Advocacy Fact Sheet to assist people with disabilities, seniors, and advocates take action. To learn more, download Actions Steps here and the Fact Sheet here. 

Stay tuned to www.bazelon.org and your inbox for our Action Alerts, Bazelon Updates, Press Releases and The Reporter. Joining our email-list entitles you to these timely missives.

John Head

Communications Director

johnh@bazelon.org

202-467-5730, Ext. 311 

For more information, please contact: communications @ bazelon.org