New Law Aims to Prioritize Those Who Need At-Home Health Services

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida Department of Elder Affairs will prioritize need for the state’s residents on its wait lists for home and community-based long-term care (HCBS) services, according to a law (House Bill 1335) signed by Gov. Rick Scott on Friday.

Currently, about 60,000 low-income and disabled Floridians are on waiting lists for at least one of a series of state services that help families keep their loved ones at home and out of more costly nursing home facilities.  HCBS  programs include services such as home-health aides, home visits by nurses, respite care for family caregivers and Meals on Wheels. The bill directs the agency to reassess annually the needs of persons on the waitlists and, as state funds become available, to provide placements in the HCBS programs to the most frail applicants.

In February, POLITICO Florida reported that during the state’s 2014-15 fiscal year,  more than 6,500 people on the HCBS waitlists died before receiving HCBS services .

“House Bill 1335 will help set priorities, keep caregivers better informed and provide standards by which state officials can be held accountable," AARP State Director Jeff Johnson said. "We look forward to a full, detailed discussion during this year’s legislative elections on how Florida can minimize the HCBS waitlists and better support family caregivers and the most vulnerable elders among us.”