Seniors and folks with disabilities who want further care would have the ability to get assist at dwelling underneath a invoice handed by the Alaska Legislature.
The state Home voted 39-1 to approve Senate Invoice 57 on Monday, following 17-0 approval by the Senate on April 24.
“One of many hallmarks of a society is the way in which that we care for many who might have a incapacity or who’re in want of additional care,” stated Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, and an advocate for the invoice, which was launched by Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration.
If the ultimate invoice is accepted by the governor, SB 57 would enable the state to license particular person houses because the equal of assisted residing facilities. A house can be permitted for as much as two residents underneath regular circumstances, three with particular permission.
Anchorage resident Laura Bonner testified in assist of the invoice, saying that she cares for an adoptive daughter who wants 24/7 care.
“She lives with me, however I’m in my seventies and ultimately she should transfer to an assisted residing or group dwelling setting. SB 57 will give us extra choices for her future,” she stated in a letter.
“It could assist many households to care for his or her family members who wrestle with dementia, complicated medical wants for minor kids or a disabled grownup who can’t perform on their very own,” she stated. “Educated direct care employees are troublesome to search out resulting from a scarcity of them.”
Earlier than their closing vote in April, senators additionally rolled Senate Invoice 106, from Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, into the invoice.
Giessel’s proposal makes everlasting a COVID pandemic-era measure that enables Medicaid to pay for private care assistants, even when these assistants are the recipient’s partner or mother or father.
Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, spoke in favor of that change, saying legislators heard from individuals who postpone marriage in an effort to keep eligible for Medicaid help. In the event that they obtained married, they’d now not be eligible for monetary assist.
Earlier than passing SB 57 by means of the Home, lawmakers there amended it to incorporate a part of Home Invoice 60. That measure was requested by the Division of Well being to wash up state regulation after the cut up of the Division of Well being and Social Companies into separate businesses.
The Senate should approve that change earlier than SB 57 goes to the governor’s desk, however no important opposition is anticipated, lawmakers stated.
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