Minnesota: Bill Would Establish Lifespan Respite Care Program

A Minnesota lawmaker introduced a bill (S.F. 1842) on March 23, 2009 to provide funding for nonprofit organizations to establish lifespan respite care programs for caregivers who live with their care recipient.  Eligible organizations must be capable of operating on a statewide basis and have expertise in respite care issues.  In addition to providing direct services, the state funding will be used to oversee and monitor lifespan respite care projects, develop best practice guidelines and training curriculum for respite care programs, and facilitate information sharing and coordination among respite providers throughout the state.  For more information, visit:

Minnesota Legislature

Report Compares New York's Long-Term Care Policies to 18 Other States'

In February 2009, the New York Health Policy Research Center released a report that compared New York to 18 other states on issues related to long-term care, including demographics on the older adult population, spending on long-term care, long-term care policies and services, and the quality of nursing home care.  On the issue of family caregiving, the report reveals that New York does not require caregiver assessment as part of its community-based long-term care programs as do some other states, including Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Washington.  The report, Medicaid and Long-Term Care: New York Compared to 18 Other States, was prepared for the New York State Department of Health.  To read the report, visit:

Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government

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Oregon: Bill Would Establish Paid Family Leave Program

On March 18, 2009, an Oregon Senator introduced a bill (S.B. 966) that would create a Family Leave Benefits Insurance Program to provide partial pay to employees taking leave to care for a new child, a child with special needs or a family member with a serious health condition. Workers in companies with at least 25 employees would pay two cents per hour into a self-sustaining fund. After six months, they would be eligible for up to six weeks of paid leave at $300 per week. Small businesses could opt in. For more information, visit:

Oregon Legislature

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