Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A) Systems advocacy includes, but it not
limited to, evaluating and making known concerns and issues regarding long-term
care by doing all of the following:
(1)
Preparing an annual report
that includes the information and findings
regarding the types of problems experienced by consumers,
the
complaints made by or on behalf of consumers, and
recommendations for policy, regulatory, and legislative changes to solve
problems, resolve complaints, and improve the quality of care and life for
consumers.
The reports are provided to
the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the
senate, the directors of the departments of
health and job and family services, and
the
administrator of the administration on
community
living
within the United States department of health and
human services.
(2) Monitoring and
analyzing the development and implementation of federal, state, and local laws,
regulations, and policies regarding long-term care services in this state and
recommending to officials changes the office considers appropriate in these
laws, regulations, and policies.
(3) Providing information and making
recommendations to public agencies, members of the general assembly, and others
regarding problems and concerns of consumers.
(B) The SLTCO shall personally, or through
representatives, analyze, comment on, and monitor the development and
implementation of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and other
government policies and actions pertaining to long-term care providers and
services and to the health, safety, welfare, and rights of consumers, and to
recommend any changes in such laws, regulations, and policies as the office
determines appropriate.
(C) The
SLTCO, as head of the office,
may independently make determinations
and establish positions of the office
without representing the determinations or positions of ODA or
another
state agency regarding the following:
(1) Recommendations to changes in federal,
state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and actions pertaining to the
health, safety, welfare, and rights of consumers.
(2) Provision of information to public and
private agencies, legislators, the media, and other persons, regarding the
problems and concerns of consumers and recommendations related to the problems
and concerns.
(D) The
SLTCO shall seek input from representatives and stakeholders and may consult
with ODA and stakeholders in making determinations and establishing positions
of the office. Methods may include the following:
(1) Providing for public forums to discuss
concerns and problems relating to action, inaction, or decisions that may
adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of consumers by
providers of long-term care and their representatives, public agencies and
entities, and social service agencies.
(2) Conducting public hearings.
(3) Sponsoring workshops and
conferences.
(4) Holding meetings
for the purpose of obtaining information about consumers, discussing and
publicizing their needs, and advocating solutions to their problems.
(5) Promoting the development of citizen
organizations.
(E)
Representatives shall adhere to the determinations and positions of the office
as established by the SLTCO.
