2023 Senate Resolution 67

Whereas, The PACE model enables nursing home-eligible individuals to live in the community as long as possible. PACE is successful at keeping more than 95 percent of its enrollees in the community and out of nursing homes; and

Whereas, PACE is a quickly growing care model that has been in operation for more than 30 years. Michigan’s first PACE program opened in 1995. Today, Michigan has 14 PACE organizations in 25 sites, serving over 5,000 participants; and

Whereas, The PACE Association of Michigan was formed in 2015 to support, safeguard, and expand Michigan PACE programs and initiatives through education and advocacy in order to enhance the lives of PACE participants and their caregivers; and

Whereas, During the pandemic, PACE organizations adapted the model in a number of ways to increase the safety of staff and participants. The programs provided further support and training for family caregivers when they are available to provide care. PACE programs have also utilized telemedicine interventions from telephone calls to specialized technology. They have worked to find new ways to engage participants who often miss their friends at the PACE center. Each PACE center also operates a clinic; and

Whereas, Programs like PACE deliver much needed medical and supportive services, encompassing the entire continuum of care and services for seniors with chronic care needs, while also maintaining independence for individuals in their home for as long as possible. This allows older adults who meet state eligibility criteria for nursing home level of care to continue living in the community with the coordination of the interdisciplinary team; and

Whereas, PACE programs are innovative as they assume full financial risk for all medical care and related services, including transportation, hospitalization, and long-term care, in return for capitated payments from Medicare and Medicaid. This controls costs for the state, while providing improved health outcomes and greater satisfaction for participants; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize September 2023 as National PACE (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) Month.