The House plans on Wednesday to take up bills addressing Alzheimer’s and dementia and home care services for people with ALS, as well as several local bills that emerged from the jam-packed Ways and Means Committee Tuesday.
The committee on Tuesday morning did not release a prescription drug or primary care bill that some insiders have anticipated or were hoping would be teed up for full House consideration.
The Alzheimer’s-related Ways and Means bill (H 4302, as amended) requires the municipal police training committee, fire training council and state police colonel to establish and implement a dementia training program for officers and firefighters, who would have to complete no less than two hours of initial training along with biannual in-service education. EMS personnel would also have to go through dementia training. The bill also creates a director of dementia care and coordination within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, who would be appointed by the secretary.
“This legislation is about ensuring that the Commonwealth is doing all that it can to care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by strengthening training, by improving coordination across the health care system, and by investing in a workforce that is better prepared to provide the care that diagnosed individuals need,” House Speaker Ron Mariano and House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz said in a statement.
The proposal would require acute care hospitals to increase coordination among family members or caregivers for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, those who are exhibiting symptoms of dementia or cognitive impairment, or presenting with symptoms of dementia or cognitive impairment based on a physician assessment. Those caregivers would be able “to remain with the patient at all times that are medically appropriate, including, but not limited to, while in the emergency department and while admitted as an inpatient.” The bill would also not require the caregivers to adhere to restricted hospital visiting hours “unless it has been deemed unsafe for the patient, family member or caregiver.”
The bill also states that “the division shall require all senior care options plans and one care plans to provide coverage for dementia care coordination services for senior care options and one care members that have been diagnosed” with Alzheimer’s and other dementia “and provide support to their caregivers.” The bill would also develop a public awareness campaign on brain health, Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
“Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are devastating illnesses that profoundly affect not only those diagnosed, but also the families and caregivers faced with the challenges of caring for their loved one,” Mariano and Michlewitz said in their statement. “We look forward to continued conversations with the Membership about this important issue, and to passing this legislation tomorrow.”
The House also plans to take up a bill (H 762, as amended) ensuring that home care program services are made available to people diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, regardless of their age if they’re eligible for the services.
According to House Ways and Means, the chamber also plans to pass a bill amending the structure of the Commission of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (H 225, amended), alongside land-related bills impacting Deerfield (H 4483, as amended), Woburn and Burlington (H 5541, as amended), and Marlborough (H 5191, as amended).
