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Senate committee advances bill to make it easier for provider agencies to hire family caregivers for TennCare recipients
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 1178 after amendments clarifying conservatorship language and requiring guidance from TennCare and the Department of Disability and Aging on how provider agencies may hire family members to provide home- and community-based services.
The Tennessee Senate Health and Welfare Committee advanced Senate Bill 1178 on a unanimous voice and roll-call vote after testimony from TennCare officials and a family caregiver.
The bill, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Akbari, would require TennCare and the Department of Disability and Aging to develop guidance on how a Medicaid-participating provider agency may hire a family member to provide home- and community-based services and long-term supports for a loved one with a disability. A floor amendment changed language to make the rules prospective and adjusted wording related to conservatorship so the bill would not apply retroactively to existing conservatorship arrangements.
The measure grew from lawmakers’ concerns about a workforce shortage in home- and community-based services (HCBS) and long-term supports and services (LTSS). Supporters argued that allowing provider agencies to hire qualified family members would help fill gaps when agencies cannot supply a worker and…
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