In June 2008, the Ohio Senate's Health, Human Services and Aging Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 272, sponsored by Sen. Steve Stivers (R-Columbus), to give the director of the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) the authority to establish Program of All-Inclusive Care (PACE) sites in Ohio as needed, based on available appropriations. Tom Slemmer and Jerry Kuyoth from National Church Residences and Nancy King of Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services – Senior Independence were involved in drafting the bill and offering support for its passage in committee. All three are members of AOPHA, the advocate of not-for-profit services for older Ohioans.
King explained how expansion of the PACE program into other urban and rural areas of the state will add a valuable component to the long-term care continuum. He also noted that PACE is a financially sound managed care model that provides participants with needed health care and ancillary services that fits into current efforts for a unified long-term care budget. Prior to the vote, Kuyoth and AOPHA lobbyists Steve Wermuth and Mike Carroll met with ODA Director Barb Riley and her staff to clarify additional language offered by the state agency for the bill.
AOPHA said the bill is one of its priorities for 2008, and that it will continue to push for its enactment. For more information, please contact Steve Wermuth.