Advocating for Long-Term Care Residents
As we find ourselves halfway through Missouri’s 2024 legislative session, VOYCE has been tirelessly advocating for the well-being and rights of long-term care residents across the state. We invite you to join us on this journey and stay informed about the legislative proposals we’re closely monitoring by viewing our Legislative Tracker here.
Our primary focus this year revolves around securing enhanced funding for the statewide Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. These dedicated advocates serve as the voice for residents in long-term care facilities, ensuring their rights are respected and their concerns addressed. With an emphasis on quality of care and quality of life, the Ombudsman Program plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens.
In collaboration with the Missouri ombudsman office, VOYCE is advocating for an allocation of $2.5 million in general revenue to bolster this crucial program. Such increased funding would have a profound impact, allowing for the hiring of 24 additional full-time ombudsman advocates. This means more eyes, more support, and, ultimately, better care for our residents.
Support Full Funding for the Missouri Ombudsman Program Budget Amendment
As the legislature reconvenes from a break on Tuesday, April 2, all eyes will be on the House as they prepare to vote on the enhanced funding amendments. We encourage you to take action with us by reviewing our action alert. We extend our sincere gratitude to Representative Deb Lavender from St. Louis County and Representative Jim Kalberloh from Lowry City for their steadfast bipartisan championing of our enhanced funding request.
Our advocacy doesn’t stop there.
In addition to budgetary matters, VOYCE has been actively engaged in supporting several bills as they navigate through the legislative process. Notably, we stand behind HB 1709 and 1710, sponsored by Representative Adam Schnelting. These crucial bills aim to elevate the protection of residents by making abuse by caregivers a felony offense and mandating the installation of cameras in long-term care facilities to monitor common areas and bedroom entryways.
However, it’s also important to recognize the bills that pose a threat to long-term care residents. SB 813 (Coleman) and HB 1825 (Smith) are identical bills that VOYCE strongly opposes this session. These bills attempt to weaken state oversight of Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) and create a concerning loophole that could allow poor care to be concealed by waiving annual state surveys for nationally accredited ALFs for a minimum period of three years. This undermines the transparency of facility quality assessment data, relocating it to accrediting bodies rather than keeping it in the public domain. VOYCE strongly opposed both of these bills during the public hearing, and we encourage others to join our opposition.
Join us to advocate for resident safety, dignity, and quality of life.
As advocates for long-term care residents, we remain committed to our mission of ensuring resident safety, dignity, and quality of life. We urge you to stand with us in this critical endeavor and stay engaged as we navigate the legislative landscape together. You can support VOYCE’s legislative advocacy work by donating directly to the cause at voycestl.org.