Updated Info on Bill S3729

Just a brief note to let you all know that A5225 (McKnight), Providing Community-Based Palliative Care through Medicaid, was passed unanimously this morning by the Assembly Health Committee and was referred to the Assembly Budget & Appropriations Committee. Thank you to the dozens of you who submitted slips in support and a special thank you to the NJPC APN Consortium and Katie DeMarco for her powerful testimony and that of her colleague Dr. Pallavi Doddakashi, a palliative care specialist from HMH. Both gave voice to the patients we all aim to serve and highlighted through personal accounts the tremendous need for this benefit.

We have laid the groundwork for support in the legislature by sharing our knowledge of the gaps in care and the important data out of CA regarding the significant cost savings associated with the provision of this benefit in their Medicaid population. Today in our testimony, we shared new information…that the Department Of Human Services in CA has decided to expand this program to include all dual eligibles beginning in Jan 2024. We also shared results from a survey conducted in Feb/March 2023 by the California Health Care Foundation of managed care plans (MCPs) who participate in the CA CBPC benefit program. They report that 86% of the MCPs found the CBPC program “definitely sustainable” even though they did not receive any supplemental payments for providing the benefit. The expansion of this program to a broader population and the overwhelmingly positive response to the program by the MCPs in CA are significant endorsements that the program works!

Stay tuned for more information as we prepare to meet the next challenge that this bill will face as it proceeds through the legislative process.     

With gratitude,

Lori, Beth & Dave