Current Issues

In 2010 our main policy focus will be to Improve Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Educational Standards.  Our Public Policy Committee is currently planning strategies towards this goal and determining our additional policy priorities for 2010.

Read more about our 2009 legislative priorities:

Solve the Persistent Problem of Mixed Populations in Adult Care Homes – Studies indicate that over 40 percent of persons residing in adult care homes have a diagnosis of mental illness. These persons are often younger and placed in facilities designed and staffed to serve an older, frailer population. This often has a negative impact on the well-being and safety of all residents.

Study Requirements for Nursing Assistant Qualifying Examination – The state should study the inconsistent levels of training and competency of persons sitting for the certification exam. The preparation varies greatly, depending upon the educational setting, which affects the performance and retention of nurse aides in long term and acute care settings.

Revise Guardianship Statutes as Recommended by the 2006 House Study Committee on State Guardianship Laws – Guardianship laws in North Carolina need to be updated to protect the rights of incompetent adults and to ensure the guardianship system operates efficiently and effectively.

Fund Pilot Program to Improve Response to Increasing Number of Abused, Neglected and Exploited Vulnerable Adults, as Recommended by the State Adult Protective Services Task Force – The recommended reforms to be piloted will create a comprehensive, multifaceted, community-based system of protection and response, including provisions for information and referral, outreach, and intervention services.

Study Feasibility of Requiring Air Conditioning in Adult Care Homes – Currently, if the temperature in the main center corridor of an adult care home exceeds 80 degrees, the facility is required to have air conditioning or a fan for each resident bedroom. The rules do not require that the temperature then be maintained below 80 degrees. The number of facilities throughout the state without air conditioning is unknown.

Expansion Needs in State Budget:

  • Increase Medicaid Personal Needs Allowance to Nursing Home Residents.
  • Increase Funding to Provide Dental Care in Facilities
  • Increase Funding for Home and Community Care Block Grant.

Endorse paid sick days and affordable health insurance for all employees of long-term care facilities – Nationally, over three-fourths of low-wage workers lack paid sick days. These are the persons caring for our loved ones and who will be taking care of the baby boomer generation nearing retirement in large numbers. We cannot continue to leave our hardworking, low-wage earners behind.

Monitor Implementation of the Star Rating System and Maintain Expansion of Technical Assistance Funds for Quality Improvements for Adult Care Homes.

Improve Disaster Preparedness of Long Term Care Facilities and Local Planning Efforts.