Connecticut Senate Bill SB00180

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/19
• Refer: 1/23/19

Caption

An Act Establishing A Task Force To Review Voluntarism Needs Of The State Ombudsman's Nursing Home Program.

Impact

The establishment of this task force is expected to have a significant impact on state laws regarding elder care and nursing home oversight. By evaluating the current volunteer resources and identifying any gaps, the task force will provide actionable recommendations to enhance volunteer participation. This could potentially lead to legislative changes aimed at increasing funding or support for volunteer recruitment initiatives within the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, thereby improving services for nursing home residents across the state.

Summary

SB00180, titled 'An Act Establishing A Task Force To Review Voluntarism Needs Of The State Ombudsman's Nursing Home Program,' proposes the establishment of a task force aimed at assessing and enhancing volunteer engagement in the state’s nursing home oversight program. The bill addresses the critical importance of ensuring that the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman has sufficient volunteer support to effectively reach all nursing home residents. It is driven by the goal of fostering better communication of residents' needs to the ombudsman, thereby facilitating improved care standards and advocacy for the elderly.

Contention

While the bill aims to bolster the nursing home volunteer program, it might face some contention regarding the allocation of resources and the feasibility of attracting sufficient volunteers. Critics could argue that without addressing underlying issues such as volunteer compensation or incentives, simply establishing a task force may not suffice to improve volunteer numbers. Additionally, the effectiveness of the existing ombudsman program and its ability to make meaningful changes based on volunteer feedback could also come under scrutiny, raising concerns about the overall efficacy of the initiative.