HCP Applauds Focus on Home Care Registry Proposal

HCP registry proposal gains momentum with government leaders

EAST GREENBUSH, NY (09/13/2007)(readMedia)-- The New York State Association of Health Care Providers, Inc. (HCP) today commended government leaders for their focus on the creation of a home care registry to help the industry verify training certification of home care workers. HCP has long-advocated for such a registry and again offered a registry proposal to government leaders in the wake of the Attorney General’s recent investigation into invalid training certificates.

“The safety of patients and integrity of the home care industry are of paramount importance to all New Yorkers,” said Phyllis A. Wang, President, HCP. “HCP supports the joint hearing to discuss the creation of a home care registry. This signals a shift to a more constructive dialogue about what policy initiatives are necessary to support home care providers in their continuing efforts to deliver the highest quality of care. Establishment of a centralized home care worker registry will give home care providers an official source of accurate and reliable training certification information.”

HCP has proposed a registry, which includes the following:

  • Identifying information for any individual hired as an aide;
  • Name and date of any State-approved training program and competency evaluations successfully completed by individual;
  • Home care employment history of the individual for the prior 10 years;
  • Require State-approved training programs to file key information on persons they train with the home care registry.

Additionally, every home care services agency would access the confidential registry as part of an employment background check.

“We look forward to working with the Governor, Attorney General, legislative leaders, and the home and community-based care community to create a streamlined and effective registry process that protects all participants in the industry,” concluded Wang.

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HCP is a statewide trade association representing the full spectrum of home and community-based providers. Through a strong network of regional chapters and an active State office in Albany, HCP is a primary authority of the health care industry.

Home care. Health care. Your care . . . for life. SM