Legislative Success for Seniors

Statement

This is Governor Mike Beebe.

As I said in my State-of-the-State address in January when I laid out my legislative agenda, "The well-being of our future depends upon the character of our society. And the character of a society is demonstrated by how it treats its elders."

Choosing amongst options in long-term care is a serious matter that most of us will face, not just as individuals, but as families. But, too few of us understand and realize the options out there when making these kinds of decisions. As part of my legislative agenda, I supported and signed into law House Bill 1132, by Rep. Sandra Prater of Jacksonville, to provide consultation on all the long-term care options available for our seniors and their families.

When a senior is admitted to a long-term care facility, regardless of the source of payment, he or she, their family or their designee can expect a professional review, assessment, and determination of appropriate long-term care options. And to stay abreast of growing or changing options, this plan provides that any individual who requests a long-term care consultation can get one.

This plan has the potential to save state dollars in Medicaid funds by helping to provide seniors that don't necessarily need or want nursing home or other forms of full-time care with counseling about options for quality at-home or community-based care. This is about preserving quality of life and dignity for Arkansans that have worked hard over a lifetime and deserve it.

This counseling will help educate our populace about choices between nursing home and community-based or at-home care options under the Elder Choices Medicaid Waiver so that families, doctors, and patients -- not Medicaid regulations -- make choices for seniors based on less restrictive care.

Although seniors and their families are concerned about the need for long-term care it is not high on the list of concerns. Seniors and their families need to know that the state can now provide high quality consultation on long-term options. We must continue to work together to preserve the dignity of our older family members and continue moving Arkansans forward.

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