June 09, 2005
June 9, 2005
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed an executive order that will immediately implement several recommendations from the Long Term Care Task Force, fulfilling a promise to thousands of citizens that Michigan will improve its long term care system.
"This is a landmark day for the people of Michigan who need and depend on long term care services," Granholm said. "We are taking the essential first steps to ensure that Michigan's seniors and our most vulnerable citizens are protected and cared for."
Executive Order 2005-14 creates a Long Term Care Supports and Services Office to assist in the development and implementation of policy and strategies for the task force recommendations. The office also will coordinate Michigan's state-supported long term care supports and services efforts. The office will be part of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), which is responsible for reviewing and implementing the task force recommendations.
The executive order creates a Long Term Care Supports and Services Advisory Commission that will provide guidance and advice to the Long Term Care Supports and Services Office. More than 50 percent of the commission will be consumers of long term care supports or services, Granholm said.
The third part of the order directs MDCH to immediately begin the process of identifying and selecting three demonstration projects to implement a key recommendation from the Long Term Care Task Force report: creation of a Long Term Care Single Point of Entry. The Single Point of Entry will ensure that Michigan citizens in need of long term care supports and services have a range of options, including home and community-based services and an easy way to access those services.
Granholm also accepted the final report of the 21-member Long Term Care Task Force, which is available on the MDCH website at www.michigan.gov/mdch .
"The task force has worked tirelessly over the last year to encapsulate and analyze the challenges facing Michigan's long term care system of supports and services," Granholm said. "This first step toward improving long term care in Michigan is a direct result of that work."
Over the last two years, Michigan - under the Granholm Administration - has made considerable progress related to long term care issues.
In 2003, Granholm - with strong bi-partisan support - initiated a Freedom to Work "Medicaid buy in" program that allows the disabled on Medicaid to have a job without fear of losing their health insurance.
Last fall, MDCH - in full partnership with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - applied for and received a $5 million grant to strengthen and improve Michigan's long term care criminal background check laws and to provide $1.5 million in additional abuse and neglect training to thousands of Michigan long term care workers.
In May, Granholm also announced a Jobs Today initiative to modernize 75 of Michigan's oldest nursing homes and replace them with new models that permit more privacy, dignity, and family friendly designs.
Recently, Granholm also created the Elder Abuse and Neglect Task Force to make recommendations to ensure that elder abuse and neglect - as well as financial exploitation - is dealt with in a forceful and effective manner.
"Today, the task force has given Michigan a roadmap for making Michigan the best that it can be in serving the long term care needs of our elderly and disabled citizens," Granholm said. "With the task force report, the executive order I have signed, and most importantly, your continued support and effort, we begin the next leg of our journey together.
