Proposal Presented for the Master Plan for Aging (#124)
Disclaimer
Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.
Summary
Update Section 1 of Section 2808-e of the Public Health Law to allow the Commissioner of Health to approve up to 4 units under the Young Adult Unit Demonstration program.
Justification
Appropriate residential & nonresidential services are not widely available for individuals who require specialized services including a growing population of medically complex and fragile young adults. Update the public health law to allow the Commissioner of Health to approve additional demonstration programs for residential services for a growing population.
Full Proposal
Young adults with medical fragility are defined in PHL 2808-3 as individuals aged 18 to 35 who have a chronic debilitating condition or conditions, are at risk of hospitalization, are technology-dependent for life or health sustaining function, require complex medication regimens or medical interventions to maintain or to improve their health status and/or are in need of ongoing assessment or intervention to prevent serious deterioration. Two out of only fifteen Pediatric Skilled Nursing Facilities serve a growing population of medically complex fragile young adults who require specialized services.
- Update Section 1 of PHL 2808-e which allows the commissioner to approve 2 units for medically fragile young adults to undergo an expedited CON process to include an additional 2 units. This will give the Commissioner of Health the ability to approve up to 4 Pediatric Skilled Nursing Units under the Young Adult Unit Demonstration Program.
MPA Council Commentary
This proposal is categorized as long-term. In the near-term, the Department of Health will continue to continuously review the Certificate of Need (CON) process for opportunities for administrative improvement. In addition, in 2024, Governor Hochul signed into law bill S5969A/A3674A to allow medically fragile young adults who reside in pediatric specialized nursing facilities to remain at such facilities until the age of 36. Policymakers may reference this proposal during the legislative session and the annual budget process, as this proposal requires legislative action and may have fiscal implications which would be subject to the availability of resources.