‌
September Recognized as PACE Month in California
As part of its final actions in the 2017-18 legislative session the Legislature passed ACR 278, declaring September as PACE Month in California.  

The resolution, which recognizes the success of PACE in addressing the needs of frail elderly and persons with disabilities, was introduced by Assembly Member Arambula and co-authored by more than 70 Assembly Members.

The resolution applauds PACE as a fully integrated model of care that provides comprehensive, highly coordinated care for frail older adults who meet the state's nursing home level of care, enabling them to continue living in the community. 

ACR 278 also notes that PACE assumes full financial risk for all care and medical services, including transportation, hospitalization, and long-term care, in return for capitated payments from Medicare and Medi-Cal.

Read the   resolution .
CA-PACE 2.0: Increasing PACE Enrollment in California  
PACE organizations in California have embarked on CA-PACE 2.0, an ambitious initiative with the goal of innovating the PACE model to serve more seniors and other individuals with high-care needs.

CA-PACE 2.0 is part of a larger national initiative and builds upon the PACE Innovation Act, legislation passed by Congress that allows for PACE pilots to develop innovations supporting the ability of PACE to serve a larger number and wider range of adults with high health care needs.

The project will identify underserved subpopulations currently eligible to enroll in PACE, as well as new unserved populations, such as younger adults with physical or mental challenges, that could benefit from the PACE model.

To meet the needs of these individuals, the project will support the development of strategies to scale PACE operations and spread the model to more communities. The goal is to achieve a five-fold increase in those served by PACE and promote implementation of the strategies developed.
The PACE 2.0 initiative is led by the National PACE Association with support from The John A. Hartford Foundation and West Health.
Congress Pushes CMS to Publish PACE Final Rule
More than two years after CMS' release of a  proposed PACE rule  in 2016, CMS has yet to issue the PACE final rule. Having not been updated since 2006, the proposed changes would provide greater operational flexibility, remove redundancies and outdated information, and codify existing practice in PACE.
Bipartisan bills introduced in the Senate and House call for CMS to publish the PACE final rule by the end of the 2018.  Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE) introduced  S. 3338  in the Senate on August 1, 2018, with Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) as co-sponsors. In the House, Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduced  H.R. 6561  on July 26, with Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Judy Chu (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Ron Kind (D-WI) and Christopher Smith (R-NJ) as co-sponsors.

Among the changes that are expected to be included in the final rule once it is issued are:

● Making it easier for nurse practitioners, physician assistants and community-based physicians to serve as primary care providers to PACE participants in addition to PACE staff physicians;

● Providing greater flexibility in how interdisciplinary team members participate in assessments and care planning, allowing the composition of the IDT for individual participants to vary based on their care needs;

● Providing greater flexibility in PACE organizations' use of the PACE center and alternative care settings in response to participants' needs and preferences.
On Lok House Named for Marie-Louise Ansak
On August 9, 2018, over 140 guests came together for a ceremony to name On Lok House in honor of their Founding Executive Director, Marie-Louise Ansak. This event not only honored Marie-Louise by celebrating her vision, passion and commitment to the seniors of San Francisco, but occurred in conjunction with her 90 th birthday celebration.

Friends and family of Marie-Louise from all over the world, current and former On Lok staff and board members, and leaders who were instrumental in the formation of On Lok and the PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) program, were present for this memorable event. Marie-Louise served as On Lok’s first Executive Director and orchestrated the development of On Lok from an idea to a day health center for older adults, then to a comprehensive, community-based long-term care program: PACE.

On Lok House was built in 1980, and features a 54-unit building with Section 8 subsidized apartments. The early vision was to create co-located housing with an adult day health care center, demonstrating how integrating housing and services is key to enabling seniors to continue living in the community. In 2017, On Lok completed a $10 million renovation to upgrade the housing units of On Lok House and the co-located Powell PACE Center.

The naming ceremony was followed by a luncheon at China Live where guests had an opportunity to reminisce about On Lok’s early years, view historic photos and celebrate Marie-Louise’s contributions to the community and beyond.
Before I Found PACE Video Series
PACE impacts the lives of frail seniors, their families, and caregivers across the country. Capture a glimpse of the impact through the eyes of Khaadija Shabazz, who has cared for her mother since she was diagnosed with dementia. Watch now.
About CalPACE
CalPACE, the California PACE Association, is a 501(c)(6) association that is dedicated to the expansion of comprehensive health care services to seniors with chronic care needs through the Program of All-inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE). Through education and advocacy, CalPACE members strive to support, maintain, and safeguard the PACE model and promote high-quality comprehensive health care services to California's seniors. 
 
There are currently eleven operational PACE organizations in California. Our members and allied organizations provide and coordinate services to more than 7,400 participants through 39 PACE Centers and Alternative Care Settings in twelve counties.