Role of the Nurse in Adult Care Facilities

Support A.5670 (Solages)/S.5471 (Rivera)

Many adult care facilities in the state currently employ nurses, but their residents are not able to fully benefit given restrictions on the duties the nurses can perform. Currently, these professionals are permitted to provide nursing services only to residents of Enhanced Assisted Living Residences (EALRs). Only 10 percent of the total licensed adult care facilities in the state are also licensed as EALRs. Unfortunately, this means that capable nurses working in these settings can’t provide services to residents; instead, a third party must be brought in to serve the resident. This limitation prevents nurses from providing services that would result in better health outcomes for the resident and support end of life care.

Enter your information to contact your lawmakers, urging them to support A.5670 (Solages)/S.5471 (Rivera). You can also access LeadingAge NY's memo of support here.

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Subject:

Please Support A.5670 (Solages)/S.5471 (Rivera)

Dear Official,

I am writing to ask you to support bill A.5670 (Solages)/S.5471 (Rivera), which would allow adult care facility and assisted living settings to directly employ licensed practical nurses or registered nurses in order to provide nursing services.

Many adult care and assisted living facilities in the state currently employ nurses, but their residents are not able to fully benefit given restrictions on the duties the nurses can perform. Currently, these professionals are permitted to provide nursing services only to residents of Enhanced Assisted Living Residences (EALRs). Only 10 percent of the total licensed adult care facilities in the state are also licensed as EALRs. Unfortunately, this means that capable nurses working in these settings can’t provide services to residents; instead, a third party must be brought in to serve the resident. This limitation prevents nurses from providing services that would result in better health outcomes for the resident and support end of life care.

This limitation is also an inefficient use of resources and needless additional cost to residents and Medicaid. In fact, it is anticipated that the State will experience savings from this proposal due to the potential for better management of health issues and the ability to better assess and triage issues, which will result in reduced hospitalization and emergency room visits. It also will save seniors money by reducing the need to pay for additional services brought into the facility. It should be noted that sparing seniors additional costs may result in the slowing of spending resources down to Medicaid eligibility levels.

I urge you to work with your colleagues to advance A.5670 (Solages)/S.5471 (Rivera), which would enable adult care and assisted living facilities that employ nurses to have the nurse provide nursing services that are within their scope of practice and at the direction of a physician or physician extender. Doing so will improve outcomes and quality of life for seniors, and will save them as well as Medicaid significant money. It is simply common sense to allow nurses to be nurses in this setting.

Regards, Your Name

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