BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA) today applauds Governor Maura Healey’s signing of the Long-Term Care Bill (H.5033), An Act To Improve Quality And Oversight Of Long-Term Care. The bill is the first step toward addressing the urgent need to reform the state’s long-term care industry, which includes nursing homes, assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities.
MassNAELA, an organization of elder and special needs law attorneys dedicated to raising awareness of issues concerning the elderly and those with special needs, joined with other elder organizations to advocate for the bill’s passage through the Massachusetts State Legislature. MassNAELA also advised legislators on the bill’s language and content.
“The dedicated efforts of elder law advocates across the state have finally paid off with the passage and signing of the Long-Term Care Bill,” said Clarence Richardson, MassNAELA Executive Director. “Several sections of this bill have been a top priority for MassNAELA and our partner groups as it’s our goal to ensure the health and well-being of seniors and individuals with disabilities.”
MassNAELA’s top priorities in this legislation were, first, the preservation of pooled special needs trusts for individuals 65 and older, which allow folks who need a nursing home level of care to set aside funds for expenses not covered by MassHealth. Second, the modification of the estate recovery statute to help lower-income individuals create generational wealth. Finally, the creation of several commissions that will shape the future of Long-Term Care in Massachusetts.
MassNAELA is grateful for the advocacy efforts of Senator Joanne Comerford on the Estate Recovery issue, Senator Pat Jehlen and Representative Kate Hogan on Pooled Trusts, Senator Mark Montigny on the Assisted Living Residences Commission, Representative Thomas Stanley on the Conference Committee and Senator Mike Rush on the Continuing Care Retirement Community Commission.
MassNAELA joined with Dignity Alliance, AARP, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Health Law Advocates and the Disability Policy Consortium to support and promote the passage of the Long-Term Care Bill.
About MassNAELA
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the premier organization of elder and special needs law attorneys in the country, is dedicated to developing awareness of issues concerning the elderly and those with special needs. Over 400 attorneys are members of the Massachusetts Chapter. Members work directly with the elderly and those with special needs in areas as diverse as planning for catastrophic care costs, disability planning, age discrimination in employment and housing, benefits planning, estate planning, veterans’ benefits and more.
For more information about MassNAELA, visit www.massnaela.com.
