Health Aide Advocates for Consumer Choice Amid CDPAP Overhaul

Health Aide Advocates for Consumer Choice Amid CDPAP Overhaul
Health Aide supports patient choice in New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) amidst proposed reforms by Governor Hochul. The Governor’s plan would consolidate over 600 fiscal intermediaries (FIs) into one, raising concerns. Health Aide backs Senator Rivera’s alternative bill, which preserves FIs with stricter regulations. The bill aims to balance fraud prevention with patient autonomy, impacting 250,000 New Yorkers relying on CDPAP.

New York – September 18, 2024 – As New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) undergoes potential reform, Health Aide remains committed to supporting patient choice in home care. Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration has proposed a significant overhaul of CDPAP, intending to reduce fraud and streamline services by replacing over 600 fiscal intermediaries (FIs) with a single vendor. While the Governor’s office views this as a cost-saving measure, it has raised concerns among patients and advocates about the potential impact on those who depend on this flexible program for their daily care needs.

Senator Gustavo Rivera’s Senate Bill S9901 offers an alternative approach, aiming to preserve the FIs while introducing stricter regulatory measures to prevent fraud. The bill, supported by Health Aide, seeks to establish a licensure system by April 2026, requiring all FIs to pay a one-time licensing fee of $10,000 and adhere to stringent reporting and operational guidelines. This approach ensures better oversight while allowing patients to retain control over their care decisions.

For more information on how Health Aide supports patient-directed care, please visit HealthAide.org.

In addition to these measures, the bill introduces minimum training requirements for caregivers, prohibits FIs from advertising services, and gives the Department of Health more power to regulate and discipline FIs that do not comply. Health Aide believes this compromise preserves patient autonomy while addressing the State’s concerns over Medicaid spending. For a detailed analysis of the bill and its potential impact on New York’s home care system, read our article, How Bill S9901 Could Reshape CDPAP Services in New York, which delves into the legislation’s key provisions and broader implications.

As New York approaches the October 1 deadline for the final decision on the program’s future, Health Aide calls on lawmakers to prioritize solutions that safeguard both patient choice and care quality. These decisions will have a lasting impact on the 250,000 New Yorkers who rely on CDPAP to manage their long-term care, and we remain committed to ensuring that their voices are heard.

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