FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Resolution No. 788

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

2115L.01I

            Whereas, consumer-directed home care empowers consumers to make decisions about the services they want and how they wish to receive them; and

            Whereas, consumer-directed home care gives consumers who can and wish to stay in their homes the right to choose home care over nursing home care, assisted by family members, friends, neighbors, and dedicated personal care attendants they know and trust; and

            Whereas, with consumer-directed home care, consumers must have the right to have home care services that meet their needs and allows personal care attendants to take the time necessary to provide such services; and

            Whereas, consumers have a right to a stable home care workforce to ensure that consumers are able to retain personal care attendants, thereby keeping families together and avoiding placement in a long-term care facility; and

            Whereas, Missourians who choose consumer-directed services have a right to a program of services that encourages participation by all consumers who are eligible and implements a code of conduct for the treatment of consumers and attendants:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-fifth General Assembly, declare our support for the implementation of a consumer-directed home care services program to empower consumers who can and wish to remain in their homes the right to choose home care over nursing home care; and

            Be it further resolved that Missouri House of Representatives recognizes that a consumer-directed home care services program must give consumers the right to choose home care over nursing home care, include the highest level of integrity in carrying out the program, ensure a stable home care workforce, and respect the rights of consumers who choose to receive services through a consumer-directed home care services program; and

             Be it further resolved that Missouri House of Representatives strongly urges the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Social Services to encourage and support the implementation of a consumer-directed home care services program; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the directors of the departments of Health and Senior Services and Social Services.