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Committee clears bill to exempt PACE programs from home‑health licensure
Summary
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee voted to pass a bill that would exempt Program of All‑Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) providers from Arkansas home‑health licensure requirements after sponsors and health‑care representatives said PACE already operates under its own licensure and oversight.
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee voted unanimously on a voice motion to pass legislation that would exempt PACE (Program of All‑Inclusive Care for the Elderly) programs from Arkansas home‑health licensure requirements.
Senator Dave Wallace, District 19, presented Senate Bill 180 and said PACE is a federally and state‑funded program that already provides in‑home services under its own licensing. "We are already required under our PACE license to provide services in the home, and we already have license requirements in place that would govern us," Sheila Williams of Baptist Health told the committee during the presentation.
The bill sponsor said the measure reflects discussions with the Department of Human Services and that DHS reviewed the bill and did not oppose it. Jay Hill of the Department of Human Services was present and, according to the sponsor, indicated DHS was "good with the bill as well." Committee members offered no substantive objections before the chair called a motion; members voted in favor by voice vote and the chair announced the bill passed out of committee.
Why it matters: PACE is designed to deliver coordinated medical and supportive services to eligible older adults to allow them to remain in the community rather than entering nursing facilities. Sponsors said the change would remove duplicate licensure requirements while leaving PACE subject to its existing program license and oversight.
Committee discussion focused on technical oversight and whether the exemption would duplicate or conflict with existing state supervision; sponsors said DHS had reviewed the text. No formal roll call was recorded in the transcript; the committee approved the measure on a voice vote.
What’s next: The sponsor indicated other bills on the committee agenda would be heard the following week and that members may bring additional bills to be scheduled. The bill will proceed according to Senate procedures.
