Senator Black receives prestigious award for her efforts to expand assisted living opportunities

(NASHVILLE, TN, March 13, 2008 – State Senator Diane Black (R- Gallatin) has been honored with a prestigious award for her efforts to expand assisted living opportunities for disabled and senior citizens.  The “Champion for Seniors in Assisted Living Award” comes from the Tennessee chapter of the Assisted Living Federation of America, a nationwide advocacy group.  The group gave Black the award at a luncheon in Nashville which featured Governor Phil Bredesen as guest speaker.

The award cites Black for “recognition of efforts to ensure a high quality of life for all seniors who live in Tennessee’s assisted living communities.”

“This award is a great honor and I am humbled to receive it,” said Senator Black.  “I feel very confident that we are moving in the right direction this year to bring more services to our assisted living communities this year and appreciate the help of the Assisted Living Federation in advancing legislation to expand health care options.”

Black sponsored legislation this year, which was approved by the Senate, to broaden the definition of assisted living to include hospice services.  This bill would make it clear that any assisted-care living facility resident who qualifies for hospice care under Medicare can continue those services and also receive reimbursement for assisted living services.

Black has also sponsored legislation in the State Senate this year calling for a “self-directed care program” where individual patients get the opportunity to choose services they think they need and who provides them.  Consumers would receive a monthly budget based on their needs, and could use this money to hire personal assistant services, make home modifications, and more.  Black said the bill basically gives frail elders and adults with disabilities the option to manage a flexible budget and decide for themselves what mix of goods and services will best meet their personal care needs.

“Aging is a process, not a disease.  Tennessee has been last in the nation for too long in the number of healthcare choices for elderly and disabled citizens on Medicaid-supported services, a problem that has kept them from being able to stay in their homes and age with dignity.  Hopefully, with the governor putting money aside this year’s budget to expand home and community-based services, we can pass meaningful legislation to provide more seniors and disabled citizens with options that will allow them to age in place in their homes.”

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Senator Black with Rick Grimes, National President of the Assisted Living Federation of America