Resolve, To Support and Encourage the Expansion of Adult Family Care Services at Residential Care Facilities
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1079
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BURNS, TUELL, DAVIS, KATZ, BLACK, DUCHESNE, EVES, GILBERT, PICKETT, SHERMAN

Legislative Document 
No. 1079 
S.P. 381 
In Senate, March 24, 2015 
Resolve, To Support and Encourage the Expansion of Adult Family 
Care Services at Residential Care Facilities 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator BURNS of Washington. 
Cosponsored by Representative TUELL of East Machias and 
Senators: DAVIS of Piscataquis, KATZ of Kennebec, Representatives: BLACK of Wilton, 
DUCHESNE of Hudson, Speaker EVES of North Berwick, GILBERT of Jay, PICKETT of 
Dixfield, SHERMAN of Hodgdon. 
Preamble. Whereas, rural and coastal areas of Maine have experienced closures of 
nursing facilities, reducing the number of long-term care options and causing family 
stress; and 
Whereas, Maine has an aging population and the State must develop strategies to 
allow the population to age in place; and 
Whereas, residents of long-term care and residential care facilities want to age in 
place, remaining close to their families; and 
Whereas, couples with different acuity levels want to continue living together 
despite having different requirements for support; now, therefore, be it 
PART A 
Sec. A-1.  The Department of Health and Human Services to increase 
residential care facility beds.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and 
Human Services shall determine the level of need for residential care facility beds in the 
State and correspondingly increase the number of MaineCare residential care facility beds 
by up to 40 beds to create greater availability of adult family care services. If the 
department determines more beds are required, it shall submit legislation to create the 
additional funding needed; and be it further 
Sec. A-2.  Appropriations and allocations.  Resolved:  That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS) 
Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147 
Initiative: Provides funding for up to 40 beds in MaineCare residential care facilities to 
create greater availability of adult family care services in the State. 
GENERAL FUND 
2015-16
2016-17
All Other 
$562,912
$559,950
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$562,912
$559,950
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND 
2015-16
2016-17
All Other 
$937,088
$940,050
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL 
$937,088
$940,050
PART B 
Sec. B-1.  Department of Health and Human Services to review 
reimbursement levels at residential care facilities.  Resolved:  That the 
Department of Health and Human Services shall review the reimbursement levels at 
residential care facilities and create a new level of reimbursement that takes into account 
the greater levels of care required by residents in those facilities who choose to age in 
place. The review must take into account the financial position of facilities in those areas 
of the State that have recently lost a significant number of nursing facility beds; and be it 
further 
Sec. B-2.  Department of Health and Human Services to develop a 
demonstration program.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human 
Services shall develop a plan for a demonstration program in Washington County to 
establish facilities with suite-type settings that allow couples to remain living together 
when both spouses qualify for MaineCare benefits. The demonstration program must also 
take into account the needs of couples in which one or both spouses have a diagnosis of 
dementia; and be it further 
Sec. B-3.  Report.  Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services 
shall submit a report regarding its findings, pursuant to this resolve, to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 15, 2016. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve increases by up to 40 the number of available residential care beds in 
Maine. This resolve also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to review 
the reimbursement levels at residential care facilities to identify if an increase in 
MaineCare funding is necessary to account for higher levels of care at these facilities and 
directs the department to develop a demonstration program in Washington County for 
suite-type settings that allow couples to remain living together. The department is also 
required to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human 
Services no later than January 15, 2016.