Home Care Advocates Rally Against CDPAP Transition in Albany
On Monday, dozens of home care consumers, workers, and state legislators gathered at the Empire State Plaza to protest the transition of New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) to a single Fiscal Intermediary (FI). The demonstrators, organized by the New York Caring Majority, marched to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) headquarters, demanding an immediate halt to the transition, which they argued could jeopardize care for tens of thousands of New Yorkers while eliminating jobs and wages for home care workers.
Carrying a large banner reading “My Home Care is NOT A Game” and holding signs inspired by the board game Monopoly, protesters amplified the voices of concerned consumers and workers who have struggled with the transition to Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), the private corporation selected to replace over 600 regional and community-based FIs across the state.
The rally will feature speeches from elected officials, including State Senator Cordell Cleare, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, who condemned the transition’s rushed timeline and lack of oversight.
“This is a disastrous policy that threatens the independence and dignity of home care consumers while undermining the livelihood of their caregivers,” said Assemblymember Rosenthal. “We need a responsible, transparent approach that prioritizes the well-being of the people who rely on CDPAP.”
The transition, which began this month, has drawn bipartisan criticism, with lawmakers and advocates citing concerns about PPL’s track record in other states. Reports of poor customer service, mismanagement of funds, and labor violations have raised alarms, and initial consumer experiences with PPL’s hotline have reinforced these fears, with complaints of long hold times, language barriers, and a lack of clear answers regarding worker pay.
Legal challenges have further complicated the transition. A Nassau County judge recently issued a temporary restraining order preventing DOH from penalizing home care companies that refuse to share confidential patient data with PPL, following allegations that the transition process violates HIPAA privacy rules.
Protesters at the rally called on state officials to replace the planned transition with a more sustainable solution. They advocated for the passage of two key bills aimed at increasing oversight and protecting home care services: the Fiscal Intermediary Licensure Bill (S.1189 Rivera/A.2735 Stirpe) and the Home Care Savings and Reinvestment Act (S.2332 Rivera/A.2018 Paulin).
“Our home care system should work for the people who depend on it—not be handed over to a private corporation with a troubling history,” said Senator Cleare. “We need real solutions that ensure consumers get the care they deserve and workers receive fair wages and conditions.”
As the April 1 deadline for full implementation looms, the opposition to the transition continues to grow, with further legal challenges and legislative efforts expected in the coming weeks.