An Act allowing the disclosure of reports with regard to inspection and investigations of certain health care facilities, home health agencies, hospice programs and assisted living homes; authorizing the Department of Health and Social Services to license home health agencies; and providing for an effective date.

Under current law, the Departments of Health and Social Services and Administration cannot make available to the public the annual inspection and investigation reports of hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living homes licensed by the departments. Full public disclosure of licensing reports would benefit the public and help individuals make appropriate decisions regarding their health care needs.

This legislation will make the departments' final licensing report available to the public within 14 calendar days after the information is made available to the health care facility being reviewed. Public scrutiny encourages facilities to maintain a safe environment and provide a high quality of care. Any information that identifies patients or clients remains confidential.

This legislation also addresses the actual licensing process for home health agencies. A home health agency, either public or private, is an entity that provides primarily skilled nursing care and therapeutic services to people in their own homes, an assisted living home, or another residential setting.

The Department of Health and Social Services has, since the early 1980s, licensed home health agencies. Regulations (7AAC 12.500-12.590) were adopted under the department's broad regulatory. Recently the Department of Law questioned that authority. This legislation provides the Department of Health and Social Services the necessary and specific statutory authority to license and regulate the quality of care provided by home health agencies. The continued oversight of home health agencies will assure the public that the quality of care being provided to clients meets minimum standards.