Senate Approves Singer Measure to Study Impact of Medicaid Reimbursement Changes on Nursing Homes
A commission to study the health of nursing homes in the state would be created under a bill sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and approved today by the Senate. The commission would scrutinize the impact of increased hourly reimbursements on nursing homes.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation would establish a nine-member commission to collect and evaluate crucial data from nursing homes to study the impact of changes to Medicaid reimbursement rates. (SenateNJ.com)
“To ensure quality care for our most vulnerable residents, it’s essential that we understand what the rate changes mean to the important services provided at these facilities,” said Singer (R-30). “Have these new rates affected staffing, the cost of care for residents, or the financial stability of nursing homes? This measure will help us get the answers.”
Singer’s measure (S-51) would establish the nine-member “Impact of Medicaid Personal Care Services Reimbursement Change on Nursing Homes Study Commission” to collect and evaluate data from nursing homes, including whether any facilities closed after the effective date of the rate changes.
Under the bill, the commission is required to submit a written report to the Governor and Legislature not more than 12 months after its first meeting.
New Jersey nursing homes say they are losing more than $400 million a year. Homes providing care for Medicaid residents lose close to $50 a day for each client, according to the Health Care Association of New Jersey.
Singer Hosts Economic Development Meeting with Orthodox Jewish Chamber, Ocean & Monmouth Officials
Today, the 30th Legislative District held an economic development meeting with Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Founder and CEO Duvi Honig, Ocean County Freeholder Director Joe Vicari, and numerous mayors from Ocean and Monmouth counties.
The 30th Legislative District held an economic development meeting with Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Founder & CEO Duvi Honig, Ocean County Freeholder Director Joe Vicari, and numerous mayors from Ocean and Monmouth counties. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey is blessed with strong human capital, a prime location, robust transportation infrastructure, and the best public schools in the country,” said Singer (R-30). “Still, more can be done to increase our state’s economic competitiveness. I am proud to work with Mr. Honig and the Orthodox Jewish Chamber Of Commerce to help enhance our business development efforts, especially in Ocean and Monmouth counties.”
Singer Bill to Study Health of Nursing Homes Advances
Commission Will Consider Impact of Medicaid Reimbursement Changes
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would create a commission to study the impact of increased hourly reimbursements on nursing homes was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bill to launch a commission to study the quality of patient care and the health of New Jersey nursing homes after changes to Medicaid personal care services reimbursement rates was cleared by the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“We need to understand what the rate changes mean to the important services provided at these facilities,” said Singer (R-30). “Did they have an effect on staffing, the cost of care for residents, or the financial health of nursing homes? It’s imperative to discover if there has been an impact on patient care, and this bill will help us get the answers.”
Singer’s ‘Charlie’s Law’ to Combat Opioid Addiction Is Now Law
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation to combat drug addiction through requiring pharmacists to educate patients on how to safely discard unused, unwanted, or expired drugs and needles has been signed into law.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation to combat drug addiction through requiring pharmacists to educate patients on how to safely discard unused, unwanted, or expired drugs and needles has been signed into law. (©iStock)
“Charlie’s Law” is named in memory of Charlie Van Tassel, a beloved son and brother who struggled and succumbed to his addiction at the age of 33. Charlie’s Law will require pharmacists to educate patients on how to safely discard unused, unwanted, or expired drugs and needles.
“All too often addiction begins at home, stemming from abused prescriptions or unused medication falling into the wrong hands,” said Singer (R – Monmouth and Ocean). “To someone like Charlie, who fought to stay sober, a bottle left unattended can be life-threatening. We can avoid addiction through proper disposal of unused drugs. Ensuring pharmacists educate patients on how to best dispose of unused medication will save countless lives.”
NOW LAW: Singer/Kean Bills Updating Code Blue to Better Protect NJ’s Homeless
A pair of bills sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean expanding Code Blue protections for the homeless during winter weather events has been signed into law.
A pair of bills sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and Sen. Tom Kean expanding Code Blue protections for the homeless during winter weather events has been signed into law. (©iStock)
“When the temperature is predicted to drop below freezing, it’s time to get inside,” Singer (R-30) said. “No one, especially New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents, should be left out in the cold. I cannot imagine the horror someone feels when it’s freezing and you have nowhere to go. Our common-sense updates to strengthen Code Blue protections will save lives.”
The package of bills sponsored by Kean and Singer, S-3422 and S-3511, strengthens the Code Blue program to better protect New Jersey’s homeless and nearly homeless residents.
Singer’s ‘Meals on Wheels’ Legislation Now Law
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation supporting the important Meals on Wheels nutrition program with public donations has become law.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation to establish the Meals on Wheels New Jersey Fund and allow residents to donate money to the organization on their State income tax form has been signed by the governor. (SenateNJ.com)
The measure signed by the governor (S-463) establishes the “Meals on Wheels in New Jersey Fund” and provides an option on the State income tax return that will allow taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to the fund.
Singer Bills to Battle Opioid Crisis Clears Senate
A pair of legislative initiatives sponsored by Senator Robert Singer to combat New Jersey’s fatal overdose epidemic has passed the State Senate.
The first bill, “Charlie’s Law,” is named in memory of Charlie Van Tassel, a beloved son and brother who struggled and succumbed to his addiction at the age of 33. Charlie’s Law would require pharmacists to educate patients on how to safely discard unused, unwanted, or expired drugs and needles.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislative initiatives to combat NJ’s overdose epidemic have passed the Senate. (Wikimedia Commons)
“All too often addiction begins at home, stemming from abused prescriptions or unused medication falling into the wrong hands,” said Singer (R – Monmouth and Ocean). “To someone like Charlie, who fought to stay sober, a bottle left unattended can be life-threatening. We can avoid addiction through proper disposal of unused drugs. Ensuring pharmacists educate patients on how to best dispose of unused medication will save countless lives.”
Singer Bill Expanding Healthcare Access to New Mothers Passes Senate
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation to improve the health and well-being of mothers during and after pregnancy has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation to improve the health and well-being of mothers during and after pregnancy has passed the Senate. (Flickr)
“New mothers deserve the best healthcare our State has to offer,” said Singer (R-30). “Yet New Jersey’s maternal illness and death toll are frankly disturbing, especially for African American mothers. Prioritizing maternal health throughout the postpartum period will reduce preventable deaths and ensure more Garden State mothers and babies leave the hospital happy and healthy.”
Singer Measure Establishing Rules for Mold Removal in Schools and Apartments Advances
Senator Robert Singer sponsors legislation to establish statewide standards for mold remediation work that has been passed by the Senate.
Sen. Singer’s bill would establish statewide standards for mold work – from inspection to identification to abatement – to protect students in schools and apartment buildings. (Wikimedia)
Singer’s bill (S2897) would build on industry standards and guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency to create consistent procedures for mold work – from inspection to identification to abatement – in schools and apartment buildings.
“Our children shouldn’t have to spend the school day in mold-infested classrooms or their nights in apartments where mold spores make the air unsafe to breathe,” said Singer (R-30). “The presence of mold in our schools and homes is a danger we cannot ignore, and to identify and eliminate it requires trained and knowledgeable experts and standardized practices.”
Singer Bill Protecting Civilian Jobs for NJ’s National Guard Members Is Now Law
Senator Bob Singer’s (R-30) legislation to ensure New Jersey National Guard members retain their civilian jobs throughout and after a State emergency has been signed into law.
Sen. Bob Singer’s legislation to ensure NJ National Guard members retain their civilian jobs throughout and after a State emergency has been signed into law. (Wikimedia Commons)
“New Jersey’s National Guard defends our state and our country, both at home and abroad,” Singer said. “Whether they are deployed overseas, or serving their own community during a domestic disaster, these brave people should never have to worry about losing their job when they return home. As a proud veteran, I will continue to fight to ensure no employer, especially the State of New Jersey, discriminates against an employee if they are called to serve during an emergency.”
