A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONTINUE TO STUDY APPROPRIATE NURSING HOME ACUITY-BASED STAFFING AND REIMBURSEMENT METHODS AND TO CLOSELY MONITOR NURSING FACILITY QUALITY OF CARE TO ENSURE RESIDENT HEALTH AND SAFETY.

WHEREAS, quality of care in nursing homes is a primary goal of the department of health, the nursing home industry and the state agency on aging; and

WHEREAS, providing adequate staffing to ensure quality care in nursing facilities has been studied for several years; and

WHEREAS, the department of health established a rule setting minimum staffing requirements effective August 2000; and

WHEREAS, though all facilities are now compliant with the minimum staffing requirements, this rule does not ensure that all residents' needs are met on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, acuity-based staffing and reimbursement methods address still unresolved issues of quality, but are very costly to implement; and

WHEREAS, the department of health and the state agency on aging have been studying this issue through the acuity-based staffing subcommittee and made a presentation of their findings to the interim legislative health and human services committee in October 2002; and

WHEREAS, the subcommittee suggests that residents of nursing homes in New Mexico would benefit from an acuity-based staffing reimbursement system, but that without adequate funding, such a system cannot be implemented; and

WHEREAS, it is the recommendation of this subcommittee that the issue continue to be researched;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to continue studying appropriate nursing home acuity-based staffing and reimbursement methods; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department continue to closely monitor nursing facility quality of care to ensure resident health and safety; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study evaluate the current payment methodology for nursing facility care and make recommendations for funding an acuity-based reimbursement system; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health report progress and legislative recommendations to the interim legislative health and human services committee no later than its October 2003 meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of health, the state agency on aging, the human services department, statewide provider associations representing nursing homes, the interim legislative health and human services committee and other appropriate groups.