| Long-Term Care Homes Funding System Review Update September 2010- About a year ago, the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care (MOHLTC) announced the launch of a long-term care home (LTCH) system funding review. The review is to act as a forum for collaborative discussions on improving the current funding and financial management practices of the LTCH sector. A LTCH Funding System Review Steering Committee has been set up to provide advice to the Ministry as well as to oversee various project teams which were established to tackle specific issues. The steering committee members include representatives from LHINs, the MOHLTC, the LTC Home sector, and seniors (Concerned Friends and the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat). Three project teams have been established to:
All of the project team recommendations must be based on the existing MOHLTC funding to long-term care homes. Project Team 1 has finished developing new guidelines for eligible expenses for long-term care that are clearer and better articulated to support consistent interpretation. The team will schedule bi-annual reviews of the guidelines to update and ensure continued clarity of interpretation. The Steering Committee will now be examining options for adjusting the current funding model to allow more flexibility in managing the LTCH system. Concerned Friends recognizes that changing and improving the funding system is a complex and challenging task, especially in these difficult economic times, and we are pleased to be at the table for these discussions. We look forward to a time when the funding system can be revamped to more accurately reflect the real staffing and care needs of residents in long-term care homes. |