Legislative Testimony / Comments
2023
02/03/2023 – Letter to Senator Richard Blumenthal re: Nationwide Staffing Mandate.
02/03/2023 – Letter to Senator Christopher Murphy re: Nationwide Staffing Mandate
2022
08/17/2022 – Letter to DSS regarding SPA 22-Z: “Nursing Facility Reimbursement – Transition to Acuity Based Reimbursement System”
03/28/2022 – Before the Public Health Committee on HB-5500 AAC The Department of Public Health’s Recommendations Regarding Various Revisions to the Public Health Statutes
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/28/2022 – Before the Public Health Committee on SB-477 AAC The Public Health of Residents of the State.
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/21/2022 – Before the Public Health Committee on SB-371 An Act Allowing Infection Prevention and Control Specialists to Provide Services to Adjacently Located and Commonly Owned or Operated Facilities.
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/21/2022 – Before the Public Health Committee on HB-5481 AAC The Department of Public Health’s Recommendations Regarding Change of Ownership in Health Care Facilities
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/18/2022 – Before the Judiciary Committee on HB-5463 AAC The Authority of the Office of the Attorney General to Bring An Action Against a Seller Who Engages in Price Gouging During a Disaster or Emergency
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/10/2022 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB-5335 An Act Requiring Long-Term Care Facilities To Conduct Sex Offender Background Checks On Staff and Residents
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/09/2022 – Before the Public Health Committee on SB-254 An Act Requiring Long-Term Care Facility Residents To Undergo A Criminal History and Sexual Offender Registry Search
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/08/2022 – Before the Aging Committee on SB-265 AAC Notice of Staff-To-Patient Ratios, Room Telephone Access, and Asbestos Mitigation Measures at Nursing Home Facilities
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/08/2022 – Before the Aging Committee on SB-286 AAC Deadlines For Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Elder Abuse and Penalties For Failure To Report
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/08/2022 – Before the Aging Committee on HB-5310 An Act Requiring Nursing Home Facilities To Spend At Least Ninety Per Center of Medicaid Funding Provided by the State on Direct Care
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/08/2022 – Before the Aging Committee on HB-5311 An Act Encouraging Socialization for Nursing Home Residents by Providing Transportation for Visits with Families
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/08/2022 – Before the Aging Committee on HB-5313 AAC Temporary Price Controls on Services Provided by Temporary Nursing Service Agencies
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/08/2022 – Before the Aging Committee on HB-5314 An Act Deterring Fraud and Abuse Perpetrated Against Senior Citizens
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/08/2020 – Before the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee on SB 251 An Act Expanding Training Programs For Career in Health Care
- Testimony CAHCF/CCAL et al
03/08/2022 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB-281 AAC Penalties for the Unauthorized Use of Rate Increases Earmarked for Staff Wage Enhancements at Nursing Facilities
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/08/2022 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB-290 AAC Certificates of Need For Long-Term Care Facilities
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/03/2022 – Before the Aging Committee on HB-5194 AAC Registration of Temporary Nursing Services Agencies
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/01/2022 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB-916 An Act Prohibiting Discharges From Nursing Homes and Residential Care Homes to Temporary or Unstable Housing
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/23/2022 – Before the Appropriations Committee on HB-05037 The Governor’s Proposed Adjustments to the State SFY 2023 Budget for Human Services Agencies
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/08/2022 – Before the Public Health Committee’s Informational Hearing on the Continuation of Emergency Declarations and Limited Executive Orders; Regarding EO 14B, The Long-Term Care Employee Booster Mandate; Request for an Extension of the Compliance Deadline Due to Concern that Long-Term Care Employees May Face Losing Their Jobs
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO and Mag Morelli, LeadingAge CT President
- Testimony Ann Spenard, DNP, RN-BC, Chief Clinical Officer, National Healthcare Associates
2021
11/09/2021 – The Healthcare Workforce Crisis
- Presentation – Health Care Cabinet: Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities / Connecticut Center for Assisted Living, Connecticut Hospital Association, LeadingAge Connecticut, and Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home
06/15/2021 – Preliminary Summaries of Legislation
- Legislative Summary of Senate Bill Number 975 (PA 21-55), An Act Strengthening The Bill of Rights For Long-Term Care Residents and Authorizing The Use of Resident Technology For Virtual Visitation and Virtual Monitoring
- Legislative Summary of Senate Bill Number 1030, AAC Long-term Care Facilities / Public Act Number Pending / Awaiting Governor’s Signature
- Legislative Summary of House Bill Number 6634 (PA 21-71), AAC Essential Support Persons and A State-Wide Visitation Policy for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
05/27/2021 – SB660, SB1002, HB6595 and HB6478 – all propose to make changes in the Workers’ Compensation system in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Testimony Connecticut Hospital Association, Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities / Connecticut Center for Assisted Living, Connecticut Association of Healthcare at Home and LeadingAge Connecticut
04/23/2021 – Before the Legislature on SB 1002 and HB 6595 AAC Labor Issues Related To COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment and Other Staffing Matters and HB 6478 AAC Workers Compensation
- Testimony Connecticut Hospital Association, LeadingAge Connecticut, Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities / Connecticut Center for Assisted Living and Connecticut Association for Healthcare At Home
03/29/2021 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 6666 AAC The Department of Publi9c Health’s Recommendations Regarding Various Revisions To The Public Health Statute
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/25/2021 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB 1057 AAC Nursing Homes
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/25/2021 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 6634 AAC Essential Support Persons and a State-Wide Visitation Policy For Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/22/2021 – Before the Judiciary Committee on SB 1029 AAC Causes of Action Against Licensed Nursing Home Facilities For Failure To Meet Standards of Care Related To COVID-19
- Testimony Heather O. Berchem, Esq, Murtha Cullina LLP
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/19/2021 – Before the Labor Committee in Opposition to SB 668 AAC A Fair Work Week Schedule
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/17/2021 – Before the Public Health Committee on SB 1030 AAC Long-Term Care Facilities
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/11/2021 – Before the Labor Committee on SB 1002 AAC Labor Issues Related To COVID-19, Personal Protective Equipment and Other Staffing Matters. 5. HB 6478 AAC Workers’ Compensation. 6. HB 6595 AAC Labor Matters Related To COVID-19, Personal Protective Equipment and Other Staffing Issues
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/09/2021 – Before the Aging Committee on HB 6552, AAC The Rights Of Residents In Long-Term Care Facilities To Use The Technology Of Their Choice For Virtual Connections To Family, Friends And Other Persons
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/09/2021 – Before the Aging Committee on SB 975, An Act Strengthening The Bill Of Rights For Long-Term Care Facility Residents
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/04/2021 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 6446, AAC The Governor’s Budget Recommendations For Human Services / Section 7
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/03/2021 – Before the Appropriations Committee on HB 06439, AAC The State Budget For The Biennium Ending June Thirtieth, 2023, and Making Appropriations Therefor
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/23/2021 – Before the Aging Committee on SB 418, An Act Increasing the Personal Needs Allowance for Certain Long-Term Care Facility Residents and Authorizing a Deduction for Conservator Expenses from the Amount of Income a Medical Recipient Applies To the Cost of Care
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/23/2021 – Before the Human Services Committee on permanent access to telehealth services
- Testimony CAHCF/CCAL and others
02/16/2021 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 6317, An Act Prohibiting Discharges From Nursing Homes And Residential Care Homes To Temporary Or Unstable Housing
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
2020
07/21/2020 – Before the Public Health and Human Services Committees Informational Forum on the Connecticut Nursing Homes and the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
- Testimony, Mag Morelli, LeadingAge CT President
06/04/2020 – Legislative Briefing – Nursing Home COVID-19 Update Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO and Mag Morelli, LeadingAge CT President
Fact Sheet – Just The Facts: What Caused COVID-19 Outbreak in Nursing Homes AHCA/NCAL
03/04/2020 – Letter to Jean Moody-Williams, Acting Director, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services re Making Section G in the Minimum Data Set Permanent (scheduled for removal effective October 1, 2020)
- Letter Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
- Fact Sheet Nationwide Administrative Burden Associated with Removing Section G, AHCA/NCAL
02/27/2020 – Before the Aging Committee on HB5208, An Act Deterring Abuse In Nursing Homes
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/27/2020 – Before the Aging Committee on HB5204, AAC Transportation For Nonambulatory Nursing Home Residents
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/25/2020 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB5235, AAC Nursing Facility Reimbursement
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/25/2020 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB5236, AAC The Transition To A Medicaid Nursing Facility Case Mix Payment System
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/25/2020 – Before the Labor Committee on SB227, AAC A Fair Work Week Schedule
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/19/2020 – Before the Appropriations Committee on the Governor’s FY 2021 Midterm Budget Recommendation to the Connecticut General Assembly
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
- Addendum February 6, 2020 Informational Forum on Nursing Homes Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO and Mag Morelli, President, LeadingAge Connecticut
2019
04/01/2019 – To the Legislative Leadership and Appropriations Committee Chairs and Ranking Members re Opposition to Section 14 and 15 of HB 7164, An Act Implementing The Governor’s Budget Recommendations For Human Services
- Memorandum from the Connecticut Association Collaborative
03/28/2019 – To the Appropriations Committee on Making The Needs of Connecticut’s Aging Population in Skilled Nursing Homes a Priority / 4% Medicaid Rate Increase (2% State Impact of $24 Million)
- Memorandum Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/19/2019 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB1079, AAC Nursing Home Facility Minimum Staffing Levels
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/14/2019 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB7164, An Act Implementing The Governor’s Budget Recommendations for Human Services
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
03/07/2019 – Before the Labor Committee on SB764, An Act Prohibiting “On-Call” Shift Scheduling
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL, President/CEO
03/05/2019 – Before the Appropriations Committee on the Governor’s FY 2020 and FY 2021 Budget Recommendation to the Connecticut General Assembly
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/26/2019 – Before the Labor Committee on HB6924, An Act Prohibiting On-call Shift Scheduling
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/26/2019 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB7167, An Act Authorizing The Use of Miller Trusts To Obtain Medicaid Eligibility
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/25/2019 – Before the Public Health Committee on SB375, AAC Nursing Home Staffing Levels
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/19/2019 – Before the Aging Committee on SB828 An Act Redefining Exploitation of Elderly Persons; HB7099 An Act Increasing the Minimum Ratio of Direct Care Staff in Nursing Homes; HB7100 AAC Non-emergency Transportation for Nursing Home Residents; HB7103 AAC Nursing Home Falls
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/19/2019 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB818 An Act Allowing for the Deduction of Court-approved Conservator and Fiduciary Expenses from Medicaid Applied Income; SB819 An Act Prohibiting Assisted Living Services Agencies and Continuing Care Providers Offering Assisted Living Services from Requiring a Third-party Contract Guarantor
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
02/11/2019 – Before the Public Health Committee on HB5276 AAC The Safety of Nursing Home Patients at Risk of Falling
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF/CCAL President/CEO
2018
03/20/2018 – Statement of the Connecticut Healthcare Association Collaborative
03/16/2018 – Before the Public Health Committee on SB 463 AAC The Development Of A Facilities Resource Plan For Persons With Intellectual Disability
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF President/CEO
03/09/2018 – Before the Aging Committee on SB 258 AAC The Exemption Of Probate Court Approved Conservator And Fiduciary Fees From Medicaid Income Eligibility And Asset Transfer Determinations
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF President/CEO
03/09/2018 – Before the Aging Committee on HB 5395 AAC Training And Experience Requirements For Providers Of Services To Senior Citizens
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF President/CEO
03/09/2018 – Before the Aging Committee on HB 5272 AAC Visits By Non-ambulatory Nursing Home Residents To The Homes Of Their Families
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF President/CEO
02/28/2018 – Before the Public Health Committee on HB 5157 An Act Requiring the Installation of Video Cameras in the Rooms of Nonverbal Nursing Home Residents
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF President/CEO
02/21/2018 – Before the Appropriations Committee on The Governor’s FY 2019 Midterm Budget Recommendation
- Testimony Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF President/CEO
2017
06/19/2017 – Before Senator Blumenthal Emergency Field Hearing on Affordable Care Act Repeal
03/20/2017 – Before the Public Health Committee on SB 797, An Act Implementing The Governor’s Budget Recommendations For Public Health Programs
03/13/2017 – Before the Public Health Committee on HB 7087 (RAISED), AAC The Department of Public Health’s Recommendations Regarding The Protection of Residents In Nursing Homes; SB 901 (RAISED), AAC The Department of Public Health’s Recommendation Regarding Adoption of a Model Food Code; SB 843 (RAISED), AAC The Department of Public Health’s Recommendations Regarding Revisions To The Process For Citations Of Chronic And Convalescent Nursing Homes; and SB 904, (RAISED) AAC The Department of Public Health’s Recommendations Regarding Facilities Guidelines For Technical Review Of Facility Construction And Renovation.
03/02/2017 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 7040, An Act Implementing The Governor’s Budget Recommendations For Human Services Programs; HB 7122, AAC Fair Rent For Nursing Homes; SB 874, An Act Requiring Electronic Notification By The Department of Social Services; SB 875, AAC Right-Sizing, Rebalancing and Repurposing Nursing Facilities For The Twenty-First Century; HB 6885, AAC Medicaid Reimbursement Levels For Providers.
02/16/2017 – Before the Appropriations Committee on The Governor’s FY 2018 and FY 2019 Budget Recommendation
02/14/2017 – Before the Aging Committee on HB 7020 An Act Requiring The Implementation of the Recommendations of the Program Review and Investigations Committee Concerning Long-Term Care
02/07/2017 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB773 AAC Advance Notice By The Department of Social Services Of Guidelines and Bulletins
2016
11/15/2016 – Before the Health Care Cabinet concerning the Cost Containment Study Required by Public Act 15-0146 and the Consultant’s (Bailet Health) Recommendations
09/21/2016 – Before the Program Review and Investigations Committee on Study of Factors Influencing Receipt of Long-term Care Services and Supports in Home and Community Settings
03/08/2016 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 5589 (Raised), AAC An Acuity-Based System For Medicaid Reimbursement
03/03/2016 – Before the Aging Committee on SB 266, AAA A Right To Rescind A Nursing Home Contract and SB 242, AAC Nursing Homes
03/03/2016 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB 278, AAC Nursing Home Facility Minimum Staffing Levels
02/25/2016 – Before the Aging Committee on SB 161, AAC Notification of Penalties For Abuse and Neglect of Nursing Home Residents and SB 166, An Act Expanding Utilization of Patient-designated Caregivers
02/24/2016 – Before the Public Health Committee on SB 209, AAC The Department of Public Health’s Recommendations Regarding The Protection of Residents In Health Care Institutions
02/23/2016 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB 107, AAC The Treatment of the Cash Value of Life Insurance Policies When Evaluating Medicaid Eligibility
02/11/2016 – Before the Appropriations Committee on the Human Services portion of the Governor’s Budget Bill
2015
04/08/2015 – CAHCF Legislative Healthcare Advocacy Day
03/18/2015 – Before the Public Health Committee on HB 6887, AAC The Department of Public Health’s Recommendations Regarding the Protection of Residents in Health Care Institutions
03/18/2015 – Before the Public Health Committee on HB 6987, AAC Various Revisions to the Public Health Statutes
03/05/2015 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB 899, AAC Voluntary Bed Reductions At Nursing Home Facilities
02/27/2015 – Before the Appropriations Committee on the Governor’s FY2016 and FY2017 Budget Recommendations
02/26/2015 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 6846, An Act Implementing The Governor’s Budget Recommendations For Human Services Programs
02/25/2015 – Before the Government Administration and Elections Committee on HB 5816, AAC Audits By State Agencies
02/18/2015 – Letter/Email to Legislators re CT Mirror Op-Ed: Preserve Connecticut’s Medicaid Funding
02/11/2015 – Before the Human Service Committee on HB 6550, AAC Medicaid Provider Audits
02/10/2015 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 6674, AA Providing Financial Relief To Nursing Homes For Uncompensated Care
- Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF Executive Vice President
- Russell Schwartz, Director of Operations for Avon Health Center and West Hartford Health and Rehabilitation Center
02/10/2015 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 6690, AAC Minimum Nursing Facility Staffing Levels
02/05/2015 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 5586, AA Increasing Nursing Facilities Rates; HB 5812, AAC Cost-of-living Increase For Nursing Facilities; and SB 231, AAC Cost-of-living Increases For Nursing Homes
01/29/2015 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 5257, AA Requiring Notice of Nursing Home Resident Abuse
2014
03/14/2014 – Before the Public Health Committee on HB 5535, AAC Notice of a Patient’s Observation Status and Notice Concerning the Qualifications of Those Who Provide Health Care and Counseling Services
03/14/2014 – Before the Public Health Committee on HB 5537, AAC The Department of Public Health’s Recommendations Regarding Various Revisions To The Public Health Statutes
03/11/2014 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB 406, AAC Certificates of Need for Nursing Homes
03/04/2014 – Before the Human Services Committee on SB 253, AAC Temporary Nursing Home Bed Reduction
03/04/2014 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 5322, AAC Nursing Home Facility Minimum Staffing Requirements
03/03/2014 – Before the Aging Committee on HB 5300, AAC Nursing Home Notifications
02/25/2014 – Before the Aging Committee on SB 179, AAC The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Task Force’s Recommendations on Training and HB 5226, An Act Increasing The Personal Needs Allowance
- Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF Executive Vice President
- Reject Anti-business, burdensome and Unnecessary Nursing Home “Transparency” Legislation – HB 5051 & HB 5136 CAHCF Fact Sheet
02/20/2014 – Before the Human Services Committee on HB 5051, An Act Improving Transparency Of Nursing Home Operations; HB 5136, AAC Nursing Home Transparency; and HB 5052, An Act Implementing The Governor’s Budget Recommendations For Human Services Programs, Section 7
- Paul Liistro, CAHCF President
- Matthew V. Barrett, CAHCF Executive Vice President
02/14/2014 – Before the Appropriations Committee on the Human Services portion of the Governor’s Budget Bill