THE GOVERNOR
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2014-01 ]
Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Commission
[44 Pa.B. 1120]
[Saturday, March 1, 2014]January 31, 2014
Whereas, Pennsylvania's long-term care system encompasses a diverse array of options through facility-based care and home-based care, which empowers older adults and persons with physical disabilities to remain active participants in their communities; and
Whereas, older adults and persons with physical disabilities could benefit from a more coordinated, person-centered approach to delivering services and supports; and
Whereas, Pennsylvania has the 16th largest population of non-institutionalized people with disabilities in the country; and there are 1.7 million Pennsylvanians living with physical disabilities in their communities who need assistance with self-care, mobility and independent living; and with changing demographics and developments in technology and medical treatment, this number is expected to increase in coming years; and
Whereas, Pennsylvania has the fourth-largest percentage of residents age 60 years and over; and during the next decade, Pennsylvania's age 85 years and over population is expected to grow by 42 percent while its total population is expected to grow by only 2 percent; and research shows that nearly 70 percent of individuals reaching age 60 in 2012 are expected to need long-term care services at some point during their lifetime; and
Whereas, Pennsylvania currently spends over $4.7 billion each year on Medicaid long-term care services and an additional $381 million on preventive services for individuals not yet eligible for Medicaid long-term care, with the demand for long-term care services growing annually; and
Whereas, in order to achieve better health and life outcomes, the long-term care system in Pennsylvania needs to ensure access to the right level of services, at the right time, that are coordinated with other types of care that address identified medical and social needs; and
Whereas, development of recommendations and supporting care delivery models that focus on creating a sustainable, person-centered approach while increasing quality outcomes and supporting independence, regardless of an individual's physical disability or age, remains a priority of this administration; and
Whereas, it will benefit the commonwealth to identify opportunities and services, which if appropriately delivered, may eliminate, through prevention or delay, the need for more costly care later in life; and
Whereas, it will benefit the commonwealth to comprehensively study Pennsylvania's long-term care services and supports delivery system and review access to the long-term care services and supports necessary to meet the needs of these communities in order to improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians.
Now, Therefore, I, Tom Corbett, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws, do hereby establish the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Commission (hereinafter referred to as ''Commission'').
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Commission shall be to provide a forum through which an open, forthright and constructive dialogue will be fostered among a diverse group of stakeholders, representing individuals involved in the delivery and financing of long-term care services and supports, families of individuals in need of such services and supports, consumers, representatives of local area agencies on aging and the physical disabilities community, legislators and state government agencies responsible for oversight, funding and regulation of such services and supports, in order to provide the Governor with recommendations that ensure Pennsylvania's long-term care services and support delivery system is person-centered, efficient, effective and fiscally accountable.
2. Responsibilities. The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
a. Identify and examine the critical issues and trends in Pennsylvania's long-term care services and supports delivery system;
b. Study existing long-term care resources available for individuals with physical disabilities, older adults, their families and caregivers;
c. Consult with various commonwealth departments and agencies, including, but not limited to the Department of Aging, the Office of the Budget, the Department of Health, the Department of Insurance and the Department of Public Welfare, on regulations, licensure, financing or any other responsibilities of those departments or agencies relating to long-term care;
d. Review current and proposed state and federal legislation relating to long-term care;
e. Review current and proposed state and federal regulations relating to long-term care; and
f. Make written recommendations to the Governor on findings.
3. Composition.
a. The Secretaries of Aging and Public Welfare or their designees shall serve as Co-chairpersons and their Departments shall provide administrative support and other resources as necessary to fulfill the requirements of this Executive Order.
b. The Commission shall consist of no more than 26 members, to be appointed by the Governor. In addition to the Co-chairpersons, members of the Commission shall consist of:
(1) two members of the Senate, one recommended by the President pro tempore of the Senate and one recommended by the Minority Leader of the Senate, and two members of the House of Representatives, one recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one recommended by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and
(2) other members involved in long-term care services and supports, including, but not limited to, consumers, families of individuals in need of such services and supports, representatives of local area agencies on aging and the physical disabilities community, the medical community, providers from the long-term care continuum and managed care organizations with experience in long-term care.
c. The Commission may establish advisory workgroups, as the Co-chairpersons may determine are needed, and membership of the workgroups may be extended beyond members of the Commission, as necessary to perform its functions.
4. Terms of Membership.
a. Members shall be appointed for terms of one year. All members appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor;
b. Commission vacancies that may occur shall be appointed in accordance with Section 3 of this Executive Order. Successors shall be appointed for the remainder of the original one-year term; and
c. A member who is absent from two consecutive meetings of the Commission, without excuse, shall forfeit membership on the Commission, and a replacement member shall be appointed for the remainder of the original one-year term in accordance with Section 3 of this Executive Order.
5. Compensation. Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their service, except that members may be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with commonwealth policy.
6. Relationship with Other Agencies. All agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction shall cooperate with and provide assistance and support as needed by the Commission to carry out its functions effectively.
7. Reports. The Commission shall submit a report to the Governor by December 31, 2014.
8. Effective Date. This Executive Order shall take effect on January 31, 2014.
9. Termination Date. This Executive Order shall expire on December 31, 2014.
Governor
Fiscal Note: 2014-01. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-430. Filed for public inspection February 28, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]
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