Sept 2021 Charity & NFP Law Update
Published on September 29, 2021
By Jennifer M. Leddy
The Ontario government has launched a consultation on the regulatory impact (e.g. costs and benefits) of the proposed regulations for home and community care. As discussed in the February 2020 Charity & NFP Law Update, Bill 175 Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020 introduced modernized home and community care regulations, which would partially amend the Connecting Care Act, 2019 and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act. Bill 175 received Royal assent on July 8, 2020, but will not come into force until the proposed modernized home and community care regulations are ready.
When it comes into force, Bill 175 will replace all references to “integrated care delivery systems” in the Connecting Care Act, 2019 with “Ontario Health Teams”, which is the terminology used by all stakeholders. Bill 175 will open the door for Ontario Health to authorize a health service provider or Ontario Health Team to govern the funding and oversight of home and community care services. According to the Modernizing Ontario for People and Business Act, 2020 which came into force on January 1, 2021, there must be an analysis of the regulatory impact of the regulations introduced by Bill 175.
Stakeholders, including approved home and community care agencies, are invited to submit feedback about the government’s preliminary analysis of the expected regulatory impact to the home and community care sector. The consultation document has identified on a preliminary basis the benefits of the regulations, including a more integrated care delivery system, more care in the community rather than costly institutional options, an integrated system centered around the needs of patients, and cost saving by reducing duplication of services. Costs identified include staff education on the new regulations and administrative/compliance costs.
The consultation, first posted on August 27, 2021, will remain open until October 11, 2021.
Read the September 2021 Charity & NFP Law Update
