NY A10765

Commissioner of Health must establish up to two demonstration projects by December 31, 2012—one in upstate New York and one in downstate New York—to encourage equity investors to provide capital and hold equity interests as operators of residential health care facilities.

Each demonstration project may involve the purchase of up to 15 existing residential health care facilities with histories of providing high quality care, operated through limited liability companies.

Equity investors and their owners are exempt from certain ownership disclosure requirements under Public Health Law, though the Public Health and Health Planning Council may require disclosure of limited liability company members if the number does not exceed 35.

Participating facilities must comply with all operating standards, regulations, and Medicaid admissions requirements, and must submit quality reports on patient care indicators, staffing levels, and access to care as directed by the Commissioner.

Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature no later than two years after the first facility commences operation, evaluating the program's effectiveness in providing capital access, impact on care quality and staff retention, and access to care for various resident populations.