Establishes a specialized health home program to serve certain individuals with physical disabilities

• Democratic13
• Republican1

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Gustavo Rivera says this is needed

The Health Home program has been primarily oriented towards populations with complex medical needs and mental health, substance use, or intellectual/developmental disabilities that necessitate personalized care management. In 2019, the Department of Health established a specialized health home for adults with physical disabilities, operated by the Independence Care System, in recognition of this underserved population that needed support. Unfortunately, the program is struggl- ing under a framework that does not fit the unique needs of these indi- viduals. People with physical disabilities need a different range of care than most others in the health home program. They need a health home that understands the needs and risk factors of adults with physical disabili- ties, such as the importance of repairing and maintaining customized wheelchairs, loaning backup chairs when needed, authorizing an appropri- ate amount of moisture barrier creams to prevent pressure injuries, taking measures to prevent urinary tract infections in people with cath- eters, and other specialized knowledge and equipment. This amendment to the Health Home law would provide specific legislative authority for a program for adults with physical disabilities within the Health Home framework that has distinct eligibility criteria; a model of care focused on maintaining members' health, maximizing their function with wheeled mobility, and supporting independent living; performance measures that focus on reducing the most common risk factors for poor health and hospitalizations; and payment to support the resources needed to successfully operate this specialized program. Establishing a more appropriate framework for this population within the Health Home program will better serve the needs of adults with physical disabilities.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.