"Single-Task Workers" Seek Congress's Approval.Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) has resurrected an industry-backed bill from 2000 to permit volunteers (so-called "resident assistants") who are trained by nursing homes to assist in the tasks of feeding and providing water without having to comply with nurse aide training requirements. The congressman has a particular interest in this issue, because the Clinton administration's Health Care Financing Administration Health Care Financing Administration, n.pr department in the U.S. agency of Health and Human Services responsible for the oversight of the Medicaid and Medicare benefit programs, including guidelines, payment, and coverage policies. (HCFA HCFA abbr. Health Care Financing Administration HCFA, n.pr See Health Care Financing Administration. ) a year ago informed Wisconsin state officials that the state's "single-task" employee policy violates federal law. The new bill--the Medicare and Medicaid Medicare and Medicaid U.S. government programs in effect since 1966. Medicare covers most people 65 or older and those with long-term disabilities. Part A, a hospital insurance plan, also pays for home health visits and hospice care. Nursing Services Quality Improvement Act of 2001 (H.R. 1510)--has broader support, with a companion measure in the Senate sponsored by Herb Kohl (D-WI). The bill would establish demonstration projects, under the direction of the Department of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Health and Human Services, HHS (HHS), in Wisconsin, North Dakota and not more than six other states to be designated by HCFA. In an effort to broaden support for the bill and to lessen consumer group and organized labor opposition, the measure contains safeguards that would prevent nursing homes from using resident assistants to meet minimum staffing requirements. A joint Ryan-Kohl press release noted, "This ensures that resident assistants supplement, rather than take the place of, CNAs (certified nursing assistants) and other nursing professionals. It also requires supervision of resident assistants by a licensed health professional licensed health professional, n an individual who has successfully completed a prescribed program of study in a variety of health fields and who has obtained a license or certificate indicating his or her competence to practice in that field. ." AHCA and AAHSA have urged support for the bill--and this year they have a friend in high places: former governor of Wisconsin The Governor of Wisconsin is the highest executive authority in the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey in June 7, 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state. Prior to statehood, there were four Governors of Wisconsin Territory. Tommy Thompson, now HHS secretary. No doubt he remembers how his state took the brunt of last year's HCFA decision. |
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