Sen. Tepler introduces bill to create commission to improve oversight of Maine’s long-term care system

AUGUSTA – On Friday, Sen. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, introduced a bill to create a commission to help Maine move toward a more organized and appropriate system of oversight for the long-term care system. LD 980, “Resolve, to Create the Commission to Improve the Oversight of the Long-term Care System,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Committee on Health and Human Services.

“Aging is inevitable, and we have a long way to go in improving our long-term care system here in Maine,” said Sen. Tepler. “So far, our approach has been muddied through a hodgepodge of laws and regulations that are not guided by an agreed upon set of standards or desired outcomes. I am proud to sponsor this bill because older Mainers in care facilities deserve the best possible care. An improved, up-to-date system would ensure they receive it.”

LD 980 would establish a commission of nine stakeholders to study and bring forward best practices regarding long-term care industry regulation. The commission would include the director of the long-term care ombudsman, advocates for elders, memory care industry leaders and family members of those currently in long-term care facilities.

Donald Stein, a Topsham constituent, shared his personal story of taking care of his wife in a memory facility while testifying in favor of the bill. “A commission that will monitor, evaluate and provide guidance for the provision of long-term and, especially, memory care is critically needed in Maine,” said Stein. “The medical issues faced by patients with dementing disease are different than those of patients needing long-term care for physical disabilities or other chronic diseases. I think that a commission that would evaluate the situation could prove to be very helpful.”

At the public hearing, Sen. Tepler expressed an openness to draft an amendment to include a representative from a hospital, the Maine Long-Term Care Association and the Office of Aging and Disability Services in the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the National Institutes of Health, an effective system in improving quality in long-term care oversight has three components: (1) setting quality standards, (2) designing survey processes and procedures to measure and monitor actual conditions of residents or clients and to assess compliance and (3) deciding on and imposing penalties for non-compliance.

LD 980 faces a work session and further action in committee.

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