Our Policy Concepts
HomeCare Workforce Operations
The home care industry continues to face workforce shortages, administrative burdens, and challenges
retaining caregivers. To address these issues, the FAIR Access Initiative proposes the creation of a centralized,
technology-driven Home Care Workforce Ecosystem in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH).
Live-In Rule
Aligning labor and health regulations would preserve access to live-in services,
reduce litigation and provide regulatory clarity without new fiscal impact. Codification would establish a single,
enforceable standard that eliminates DOH–Department of Labor ambiguity and ensures continuity of care for patients needing 24-hour assistance.
Universal Nursing Assessments
By standardizing assessments and aligning supervision, documentation, and regulatory requirements, the UNA would reduce administrative burden, speed access to care, improve continuity and clinical consistency, support workforce stability, and help keep patients in community-based care rather than institutional settings.
Integrated HomeCare Ecosystem
An Integrated Home Care Ecosystem Pilot Program that integrates LHCSAs, primary care, and health homes into a single delivery framework. The pilot would be supported by targeted regulatory changes and direct state and federal funding, laying the groundwork for a modern, equitable, and financially sustainable care system across New York.
Modernize HomeCare Funding
To ensure sustainability and protect access to care, FAIR proposes that the state:
- Automatically adjust home care reimbursement rates to reflect any state-mandated wage increases;
- Incorporate regular Cost-of-Living Adjustments into reimbursement rates
- Require MCO transparency through provider-level reporting and auditable verification that state-directed funds reach direct care workers.