Assisted Living Executive

PUBLIC POLICY BRIeF

facilitate more efficient licensing. Currently, regulators conduct a 30 percent random sample for inspections. If not inspected through the sample, no community is allowed to go more than five years without an inspection. Providers say they want more frequent oversight to safeguard the integrity of the industry, and they are advocating a 20 percent increase in licensing fees to fund additional inspectors.

virginia

The first legislative session of the year in Virginia was a successful one for assisted living advocates. They successfully thwarted a bill that would have required an extremely burdensome and ineffective reporting system to the Department of Social Services on all stages of pressure ulcers.

Advocates also were able to work with

legislators to improve a bill governing the registration of individuals who distribute medications. As originally crafted, regulations were overly complicated, making it too difficult for many to register. The modified bill extends deadlines and creates new, more realistic testing procedures. Less travel time is required for those seeking registration, and new registrants would be allowed to continue practicing while waiting to be approved.

Pennsylvania

In addition to legislative work, state-level affiliates also have been actively pursuing appropriate regulatory oversight. In Pennsylvania, for example, providers were challenged in 2008 by a new set of assisted living regulations that were overly prescriptive, to the point where some providers might be discouraged from seeking licensure. At press time,

the state’s Department of Public Welfare was gathering public comment and considering amendments to the proposed legislation.

These examples represent just a sampling of the legislative and regulatory advocacy presently at play at the state level. While the government shakeup at the national level has many watching the federal regulatory landscape, the wheels keep turning in statehouses and regulatory agencies across the nation. Consistent messaging from assisted living advocates, community allies, and friends is helping to forge an environment that is conducive to the well-being of residents and the success of assisted living. ❏

Maribeth Bersani is ALFA’s senior vice president, public policy. Reach her at mbersani@alfa.org.

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