Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 27, 2022 State Rep. Lipper-Garabedian advances Nursing Home Bill in her capacity as Elder Affairs Vice-Chair Legislation seeks to improve quality and oversight of long-term care across the Commonwealth S tate Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined her colleagues on the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Elder Aff airs to provide a favorable report on H.4780, An Act to improve quality and oversight of long-term care, which takes a comprehensive approach to regulating the longterm care industry and addressing needed reforms in transparency and oversight. The omnibus bill also seeks to provide additional workforce supports and sets the stage for further innovation and development of alternative models of care. 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J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. 16, the Massachusetts House of Representatives referred H.4780 to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “Long-term care facilities are a critical component of the Commonwealth’s continuum of care, providing essential services to the elderly, those recovering from an illness or operation, and those with intellectual disabilities,” said Rep. Thomas Stanley (D-Waltham), the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Aff airs. “This bill will enhance quality of care to residents, ensure accountability for nursing home operators, and improve staff recruitment and retention.” "The pandemic made public the need for overdue changes in long-term care: adequate funding coupled with higher standards and accountability; recruitment, training, and retention of qualifi ed staff ; and more person-centered care,” said Sen. Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville), who is the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Aff airs. “This bill is a response to needs stressed in the Nursing Facility Task Force. We are delighted to move forward this comprehensive bill, along with other bills addressing the entire continuum of care." “I am glad to advance this critical legislation, having worked on and supported it throughout this legislative session,” said Rep. Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose), who is the House ViceChair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs. “This bill will S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping programs, strengthening and enhancing the suitability standards of the Department of Public Health (DPH) and providing DPH with additional tools to monitor and take punitive action on facilities. Some additional provisions in the bill: • Directs DPH to streamline regulations for small house nursing homes • Increases penalties that can Kate Lipper-Garabedian State Representative improve the quality and oversight of care, support residents, and bring further dignity to the workforce. Supporting our elder aff airs workforce has been a key theme in the Committee’s eff orts this session and was central in the Community Conversation I hosted last year …with a panel of elder aff airs experts.” To view Representative Lipper-Garabedian’s December 2021 Community Conversation, please visit https://tinyurl.com/ KLG-EACC. H.4780 draws from 20 longterm care proposals before the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs in addition to testimony gathered over fi ve hearings, discussions across countless stakeholder meetings, and years of internal and external advocacy. H.4780 also builds off the 2020 Nursing Facility Task Force Report, responding to several remaining needs, including establishing career ladder grants and student loan forgiveness OBSERVANCE | FROM PAGE 1 we should not forget the men and women of the armed forces who put their lives on the line for the cause of freedom. Though we worry, we should remind ourselves that we are a resilient people. These men and women when called to duty did so even though their lives were interrupted. They demonstrated bravery and courage in the confl icts in Lexington and Concord, New Orleans and Fort McHenry, the Alamo, Gettysburg, the Ardennes Forest, lwo Jima, Normandy, Inchon, Saigon, Fallujah, Kandahar, Syria and many other places too numerous to mention here. In his last Memorial Day message, President John Kennedy be sought by the Attorney General in instances of abuse and doubles the statute of limitations to four years • Mandates long-term care facilities to develop Outbreak Response Plans to use in the event of future infectious disease outbreaks • Directs DPH to establish and implement a training and education program for facilities and staff regarding best practices and frequent defi ciencies • Requires facilities to develop policies to prevent social isolation with special consideration given to those with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other disabilities • Codifi es lengths of time for medical leave of absences and nonmedical leave of absences for long-term care residents to ensure continuity of care • Directs the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to issue an annual report examining cost trends and fi nancial performance across the nursing home industry • Directs the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to conduct an analysis of nursing personnel and staffi ng requirements in long-term care facilities and issue a report by June 1, 2023. said: “On this day we should invoke the blessings of God on those who have died in the defense of this country and praying for a new world order where peace and justice shall prevail and a life of opportunity shall be assured for all.” On this Memorial Day, Post 69 will have a ceremony on Monday, May 30, 2022 at 12:15 pm at the Legion Headquarters located at 75 Meridian Street, Malden to remember and honor its many members who served in the armed forces, and the many Veterans laid to rest here and in foreign lands. We also will send our prayers to all those serving in the Armed Services around the world. Finally, we will always remember our prisoners of war and those missing in action. YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN! Prices subject to change Ask about our Heating Oil Conditioner! FLEET
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