A.  The legislature hereby declares that one of the most serious issues facing the present health care system today is the absence of a high quality home health care service delivery system as an alternative approach to traditional institutional placement.  Furthermore, extensive legislative study has revealed that home care is increasingly being recognized as the preferred method in the delivery of service to persons who are chronically ill and persons with disabilities because it: (1) allows such persons to receive needed treatment and care at home while enabling them to continue to maintain the family and community ties which are so important; and (2) provides less costly long term care services that are by far more satisfying and effective than institutional placement.

B.  Federal developments under Public Law 97-35, “The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981,” have given states more latitude and authority to cover a broad range of in-home and community support services under Medicaid.  The legislature recognizes the need for deinstitutionalization of persons who are chronically ill and persons with disabilities, and intends that the state should not only participate in such programs but also establish a broad range of coordinated noninstitutional care.  Therefore, it is the purpose of this Chapter to provide for a comprehensive and fully coordinated approach to long term home health care.  The legislature further recognizes that persons other than those eligible for Medicaid are also in need of a broad array of health and social services.  The legislature therefore states its intent to expand the long term home health care program in terms of eligibility requirements and the range of services provided for recipients.  For this purpose, the Oversight Subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Health and Welfare shall periodically review the program.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 715, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §22, eff. June 23, 2014.