Assisted living closures prompt states to increase Medicaid HCBS rates to stifle workforce shortages
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Oct 26, 2023
More than half of the states have increased payment rates for Medicaid home- and community-based services to address workforce challenges after assisted living communities closed, according to new data...
Providers need funding to improve Medicaid HCBS access, quality, advocates say
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 01, 2023
Senior living advocates are applauding steps announced by the federal government to ensure equitable access to home- and community-based services provided via the Medicaid program, but they say that funding...
Assisted living needs to be part of enhanced Medicaid HCBS program, industry advocates say
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jan 30, 2023
A proposal calling for permanent enhanced federal funding to states to expand the Medicaid home- and community-based services program needs to go a step further to emphasize the benefits of assisted living,...
CMS issues guidance to states on how to use enhanced Medicaid HCBS funding from stimulus package
By
Liza Berger
May 14, 2021
States can only use enhanced Medicaid funds from the recently passed $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package to strengthen their home- and community-based services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
President’s $400B proposal to invest in Medicaid HCBS represents ‘historic opportunity,’ Democratic...
By
Liza Berger
May 13, 2021
Democratic congressmen and long-term care worker advocates beat the drum Wednesday for President Biden’s plan to invest $400 billion in Medicaid home- and community-based services.
Final Medicaid Access Rule released, White House says
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 22, 2024
A federal rule requiring providers to allocate at least 80% of home- and community-based payments to direct care worker pay has been finalized, President Biden said in a fact sheet posted Monday on the...
Medicaid Access Rule review completed by White House
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 16, 2024
A proposed federal rule establishing mandatory quality measures for home- and community-based services and requiring providers to allocate 80% of HCBS payments to direct care worker pay is one step closer...
HCBS access rule heads to final review amid senior living industry concerns
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jan 31, 2024
A proposed federal rule establishing mandatory quality measures for home- and community-based services and requiring providers to allocate 80% of HCBS payments to direct care worker pay now is under final...
Better wages, working conditions key to attracting more workers to HCBS settings
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Apr 21, 2023
The size of the home- and community-based services workforce has not kept pace with expanding numbers of Medicaid program participants, according to a new study whose authors contend that better pay and...
Advocacy groups release blueprint to improve HCBS, aging services workforce
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Apr 05, 2023
Strategies on how to improve Ohio’s overall system of home- and community-based services, including assisted living, and the aging services workforce are highlights of a blueprint released by a coalition...