by George Kutnerian
As many of you may be aware, the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) program reached its capacity of 3,700 slots in March of 2017 and has since been operating with a waitlist that is now fast approaching 3,000 individuals.
6Beds has been advocating for an expansion to the ALW program since last year’s Advocacy Day in spring of 2017.
Since then, in its efforts to expand and improve the ALW, 6Beds has joined a broad coalition that includes LeadingAge CA, California Assisted Living Association, Alzheimer’s Association, The SCAN Foundation, California Hospital Association, the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, and Justice in Aging.
This broad coalition had been advocating to the Department of Health Care Services and the Department of Finance for an expansion of the ALW. The Governor’s proposal to add 2,000 slots to the ALW is a significant first step towards expanding the ALW. We will keep you posted on how the proposal to add 2,000 slots to the ALW progresses through the budget process. Even if approved, the addition of the 2,000 slots would not be operational until at least this summer as the Department of Health Care Services will be required to apply for a waiver amendment with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Stay tuned for updates.
Advocating for expanding and improving the ALW is a part of 6Beds’ 2018 Advocacy Day agenda.
Please join us for Advocacy Day in Sacramento on April 11, 2018 at the California Chamber of Commerce, beginning at 8AM.
Best,
George K. Kutnerian
Senior Vice President
Public Policy & Legislation