IMPACT

The NCSTHL has been working since its creation in 1993 to make a difference in the lives of North Carolina’s older adults by making a difference in the state’s legal code.  
The NCSTHL meets three times a year to study issues, to hear from subject matter experts and state officials, and to develop legislative recommendations to present to the NC General Assembly (NCGA). 
Since 1993, the NCSTHL has supported the passage of 11 bills into law.  It has continually promoted increased funding for programs supporting older adults and their caregivers in keeping with the growth rate of the aging population.

Highlights of 29 Years of Impact

Since 1993, the NCSTHL has advocated for legislation, funding, and action in these domains of supportive services for older adults:

·        Adult Protective Services:  Increased funding to expand adult protective services in the state.

·        Area Agencies on Aging:  Appropriated funding for the support of Area Agencies on Aging.

·        CAP/DA:  Provided funding to ensure that the Medicaid Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) remains a viable service for older and disabled adults in the state.

·        Fraud:  Passed legislation to increase consumer protections in the areas of telemarketing fraud and predatory lending.

·        HCCBG:  Increased funding for home and community-based services from $9,232,454 in 1992 to $59,850,958 in 2009.  The 2023 enacted budget is $69.9 million, a $2.4 million increase from 2022.

·        Long-Term Care Insurance:  Passed legislation to provide for a long-term care insurance option for active and retired state employees and their dependents as well as retired local government employees and their dependents (cost of coverage to be paid by employee) and to provide an individual income tax credit for the purchase of long-term care insurance.

·        Long-Term Care:  Expanded funding to improve the timeliness of complaint investigations and monitoring in long-term care facilities.

·        Long-Term Care:  Passed legislation to require criminal background checks of employees in adult care homes, nursing homes, and home care agencies.

·        Medicaid:  Expanded Medicaid coverage to older and disabled adults eligible for Supplemental Security Income and to those with incomes up to 100% of the federal poverty level.

·        Prescription Drugs:  Began a prescription drug assistance program that evolved into the current N.C. Senior Care prescription assistance program funded by the Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission.

·        Project C.A.R.E.:  Provided funding to ensure the continuation of Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternative to Running on Empty)

·        Property Taxes:  Increased the Homestead Property Tax Exemption.