House Passes the Elder Justice Act
The House of Representatives last night gave final Congressional approval to the Elder Justice Act and the Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act as part of health care reform legislation thus enacting what the non partisan 622 member Elder Justice Coalition called, “The most comprehensive federal legislation ever to combat elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.” Coalition National Coordinator Bob Blancato called the bills “signature achievements within a landmark bill.” The bill now goes to the President for his signature which is expected later this week.
The
Elder Justice Act was added into the Senate health care bill by Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) a co-author of the measure and a member of the Finance Committee. The bill’s sponsor is Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah.) The Patient Safety legislation was added by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) on behalf of the bill’s author Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin.)
The main provisions of the Elder Justice Act include:
*Adult Protective Services (APS)
funding. Provides $400 million ($100 million per year) in first-time dedicated funding for adult protective services. Provides $100 million ($25 million annually) for state demonstration grants to test a variety of methods to improve APS.
*Provides $32.5 million (over 4 years) in
grants to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and an additional $40 million ($10 million annually) in training programs for national organizations and State long-term care ombudsman programs.
*Establishes an
Elder Justice Coordinating Council to make recommendations to the Secretary of HHS on the coordination of activities of federal, state, local and private agencies and entities relating to elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. Recommendations contained in report are due in 2 years.
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