Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Collaborate with the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program To Convene a Stakeholder Group To Make Recommendations for In-home Rehabilitation Services
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1477
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: DODGE, BALDACCI, CRAVEN, CUDDY, DOUDERA, PERRY, SACHS, TEPLER, ZEIGLER, MOORE

Legislative Document
No. 1477
H.P. 1092
House of Representatives, April 14, 2021
Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services 
To Collaborate with the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program To 
Convene a Stakeholder Group To Make Recommendations for In-
home Rehabilitation Services
Received by the Clerk of the House on April 12, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative DODGE of Belfast.
Cosponsored by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot and
Representatives: CRAVEN of Lewiston, CUDDY of Winterport, DOUDERA of Camden, 
PERRY of Calais, SACHS of Freeport, TEPLER of Topsham, ZEIGLER of Montville, 
Senator: MOORE of Washington.
Sec. 1.  Department of Health and Human Services to collaborate with the 
long-term care ombudsman program to convene stakeholder group to make 
recommendations for in-home rehabilitation services. Resolved:  That the 
Department of Health and Human Services shall collaborate with the long-term care 
ombudsman program established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 5106, 
subsection 11-C to convene a stakeholder group that includes a physician, a representative 
of home care service providers and a representative of home care patients to study and to 
identify and develop recommendations to resolve regulatory and administrative barriers 
that may result in a delay or denial for qualified persons to receive in-home rehabilitation 
services, including a review of:
1. Provider barriers in certifying eligibility for in-home rehabilitation services and 
ordering ongoing care to meet the individualized care needs at home;
2. A home care patient bill of rights establishing or confirming a patient’s right to:
A. The least restrictive treatment option upon discharge;
B. Be advised of realistic options when hospital care is no longer needed; and
C. Be informed about hospital resources, such as patient advocates or ethics 
committees that can help resolve patient questions;
3. Patient advocacy in discharge planning from health care facilities; 
4. The process for patients to dispute their discharge plan; and 
5. Standards of care, which must include that the patient advocate or discharge planning 
team provide:
A. Appointments and contact information for prescribed in-home rehabilitation 
services to the patient upon discharge;
B. A copy of the list of barriers and explanations of any barriers preventing in-home 
rehabilitation services; and
C. In writing, the process for a patient or advocate to appeal decisions and overcome 
barriers in paragraph B.
Sec. 2.  Report.  Resolved:  That, by December 1, 2021, the Department of Health 
and Human Services shall submit a report on the study and recommended legislation to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.  The Joint Standing Committee 
on Health and Human Services may report out legislation based upon the report to the 
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to collaborate with 
the long-term care ombudsman program to convene a stakeholder group to study and to 
identify and develop recommendations to resolve regulatory and administrative barriers 
that may result in a delay or denial for qualified persons to receive in-home rehabilitation 
services and to report and make recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services, which may report out legislation based upon the report to the