Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

 

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).  Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L    I M P A C T    R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR

Taylor, JP

DATE TYPED

02/04/04

HB

525

 

SHORT TITLE

Statewide Caregivers Hotline

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST

Dunbar

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

FY04

FY05

 

$125.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to HB 373

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

 

Responses Received From

State Agency on Aging (SAOA)

Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 525 appropriates $125,000 from the General Fund to the State Agency on Aging for the purpose of developing a caregiver crisis hotline.

 

Significant Issues

 

This bill addresses technical issues identified in the FIR for HB 373 by adding the purpose for the family caregivers hotline as “to provide telephone assistance to caregivers of frail and chronically ill seniors statewide.”

 

New Mexico has one of the fastest growing aging populations in the country, including many frail and chronically ill elders. The bulk of home and community based long-term care is provided by family members, including a growing number of grandparents caring for grandchildren.

Care-giving is frequently emotionally draining and physically demanding.

 

If the bill is passed, CYFD could potentially experience an increase in reports of alleged adult abuse, neglect and/or exploitation.   This hotline may also increases requests for Adult Day Care, Home Care and Attendant Care services. 

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $125.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the General Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 05 shall revert to the General Fund.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation would provide the State Agency on Aging with funding to implement and administer a statewide caregiver hotline.  The Governor has made the development and implementation of a caregiver hotline one of his priorities for constituents of the new Aging & Long-Term Services Department if the agency is authorized by the Legislature.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

The Human Services Department currently administers an existing statewide, toll-free program called “LTC Link” or “New Mexico Long Term Care Connection” that could be expanded to include a crisis hotline.  In addition to receiving telephone calls, the program receives e-mails through their website.  Persons may contact the program to request assistance in locating long term care services.  The program is associated with EverCare, a national organization with expertise in the field of long term care.  The current contract for this program is limited to providing information regarding services for adults with disabilities and the elderly, and the service operates on weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM.  The program does have the infrastructure and capability to support a crisis hotline.  LTC Link has been identified for transfer from Human Services Department to the Aging and Long-Term Care Department in HB 34, HB 260 and SB141 introduced in the 46th legislative session. 

 

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

 

  1. How is the State Agency on Aging planning to administer this hotline (in house or contract)?
  2. Will contracting with LTC Link save administrative costs since they have the infrastructure in place?

 

BD/prr