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,...
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...
HCBS bill provides ‘sorely needed’ solutions to care choice, workforce issues
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Mar 10, 2023
A new bill seeking to expand and permanently fund home- and community-based service programs — including those provided in assisted living — is “exactly what’s needed” to begin to solve the...
Report outlines ways to get more HCBS support
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Sep 20, 2022
Assisted living providers can glean best practices from a report outlining state efforts to support home- and community-based service workers using federal COVID-19 relief dollars, according to one of...
Don’t overlook benefits of assisted living when thinking about HCBS, industry tells Congress
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 20, 2021
Medicaid home- and community-based services expansion, workforce development, immigration reform and long-term care financing are top of mind for senior living industry leaders as they prod U.S. House...
Raise grant rates for assisted living, wages and benefits for caregivers, board recommends
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Oct 05, 2022
A state government advisory board is recommending that the Virginia General Assembly increase grant awards to cover assisted living costs, mandate sick leave and a living wage for direct care workers,...