Today LeadingAge launched a petition to expand and protect affordable senior housing. This petition is part of our effort to engage and grow the Seniors Action Network. Members are encouraged to sign the petition that tells Congress we must invest more in affordable senior housing and reject the President’s proposed 22 percent cut to next year’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) budget. Sign the Seniors Action Network Petition for Affordable Senior Housing and tell Congress to make older adults a priority.

The Board of Health (BoH) will hold a public rulemaking hearing for the revised Chapter 7 assisted living residence (ALR) licensure rules on April 18 at 10 a.m. in the Sabin-Cleere rooms on the first floor of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s (CDPHE) main campus at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South. The draft includes several changes for ALRs, including minimum standards for administrators, requirements for CPR, first aid and lift assistance, implementation of the Facility Guideline Institute (FGI) standards for new construction and renovations, and revisions to the secure environment section.

These are challenging and exciting times. As LeadingAge Colorado turns 50 this year, we celebrate our humble beginnings, five decades of growth and diversification, and we look with optimism to what lies ahead for our association and our members.

There are great things in store for this year’s conference. And don’t miss the exhibition, the place to meet and visit with companies who supply the goods and services you use every day.

Last month, the Board of Health (BoH) approved a rulemaking hearing for the revised Chapter 7 assisted living residence (ALR) licensure rules. The public hearing will be held April 18 at CDPHE. The draft includes several changes for ALRs, including minimum standards for administrators, requirements for CPR, first aid and lift assistance, implementation of the Facility Guideline Institute (FGI) standards for new construction and renovations, revisions to the secure environment section and licensure fee increases.

On Jan. 30 the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) released FAQs that focus on general requirements of the federal home-and community-based services (HCBS) final settings rule and miscellaneous aspects of its implementation. Part 2 will address employment-related service and lease requirements. Providers are encouraged to review all the FAQs as compliance with the rule is expected by March 2020. 

On Jan. 30 the Colorado Senate unanimously passed SB18-054 by Sen. Larry Crowder that caps assisted living residence (ALR) licensure fee increases at the consumer price index (CPI) beginning in 2019. This bill supported by LeadingAge Colorado, allows the board to increase the fees over two years (2018 and 2019) to fund enough CDPHE surveyor positions to inspect every ALR every three years and investigate every complaint.

Last month, the governor released his FY 2018-19 state budget proposal. It includes both increases and decreases in provider rates, including a 25 percent increase for alternative care facilities, a .77 percent increase for other HCBS providers and a decrease to nursing home rates by limiting the allowable growth for one year to 1 percent, instead of 3 percent.

In a final rule published in the Federal Register on Nov. 24th, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stated its intention to delay the Dec. 1 compliance date for the electronic submission of the 2016 Form300A report of injuries and illnesses until Dec. 15. The rule is applicable to employers with 250 or more employees and employers with 20 or more employees but less than 250 in certain identified industries including nursing facilities, community care facilities for the elderly and other residential care facilities.