The next state budget picture grew murky Tuesday after top legislative leaders announced majority Democrats would not formally adjust the preliminary $26 billion plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

 

House Speaker Matt Ritter and Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney said legislators still would invest $300 million to $400 million extra in higher education, social services and health care as planned, with at least $100 million coming from the last vestiges of federal pandemic relief. 

 

But to make that work, Democrats also would have to shift $200 million or more around within the preliminary budget without changing the bottom line. They also would have to ignore holes within that plan, including insufficient funds for mandated pension contributions.

Direct support professionals (DSPs) are the backbone of home care, providing essential assistance to the clients and patients served by home care, home health, and hospice providers around the country. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Direct Support Professionals Act to address the critical shortage of these workers and improve the quality of care provided. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) applauds Senators Hassan and Collins for their leadership in introducing this crucial legislation, which passed in the Senate on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

As at-home care has increasingly become a more popular model for health care, a significant portion of fraud convictions over the last 10 years have involved personal care services attendants.

 

Between 2014 and 2023, personal care services accounted for at least 34% of fraud convictions in some years and as much as 48% in other years.

 

That’s according to a new report from OIG that detailed the findings from Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs). MFCUs are mandated by the Social Security Act to investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse or neglect.

Melissa is a Registered Nurse (RN) with a solid foundation, holding both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Her extensive knowledge and skills have been finely tuned across various healthcare domains, with a particular focus on home health, hospice, and private duty care.

As a Director at SimiTree, Melissa plays a pivotal role in guiding the team toward delivering top-notch healthcare solutions. Her leadership is characterized by a blend of clinical expertise and strategic business acumen, ensuring that SimiTree continues to excel in strengthening and supporting healthcare organizations. 

Melissa's passion for providing exceptional healthcare services has made her a trailblazer in the industry. Her commitment to excellence and compassionate care has positively impacted many lives throughout her career.

 

Melissa recently led a transformative project aimed at enhancing operational efficiency for a post-acute care agency. Through her initiatives, the agency achieved remarkable results, including a 25% increase in productivity, and a significant reduction in the LUPA rate. SIA revenue increased by $80,000.