Critics Question Nonprofits’ Role in N.Y. Home-Care Overhaul

Executives of two of New York’s biggest nonprofit providers of long-term health-care will lead the team drawing up an overhaul of the state’s home-care system, raising questions and criticism from advocates for patients and commercial industry players, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan would shift tens of thousands of homebound elderly and disabled people into managed-care plans, which would charge the state monthly premiums for home care. His administration says for-profit firms are overbilling for home care, and patients would be better off under a more coordinated system.

The administration named Eli Feldman, who heads Metropolitan Jewish Health System, and Carol Raphael, outgoing CEO of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, to chair the 18-member committee developing guidelines for the change. Critics say the nonprofit groups, which handle about a third of New York State’s home-care Medicaid business, stand to gain millions of dollars from the policy shift.

The committee leaders “are the stakeholders with all the financial leverage,” said Valerie Bogart of Selfhelp Community Services, which provides health care, housing, and legal services to seniors. “Your gut tells you it’s not right.”

Administration officials said Mr. Feldman and Ms. Raphael have extensive experience in managed long-term care and that more advocates have been added to the policy panel. “This is a balanced team that represents key stakeholders and includes nationally recognized experts who will focus on implementing a system that will save taxpayers money and protect patients,” said Josh Vlasto, a Cuomo spokesman.