Advocates

This issue brief presents early findings from the most recent KFF 50-state survey of Medicaid HCBS programs, focusing on state policies adopted in response to the pandemic, the pandemic’s impact on Medicaid HCBS enrollees and providers, and states’ early plans for the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 10 percentage point temporary increase in federal Medicaid matching funds for HCBS.

CMS released a SHO letter with updated guidance to assist states in planning for resuming normal state Medicaid, CHIP, and BHP operations for the eventual end of the public health emergency. The SHO provides updated guidance regarding the extended timeframe for states to complete pending work in eligibility and enrollment to up to 12 months after the PHE ends and redetermination of eligibility requirements states must complete after the PHE for all beneficiaries before taking adverse actions.

On August 10, 2021, the U.S. Senate introduced the Nursing Home Improvement and Accountability Act of 2021. The bill aims to increase transparency, accountability and oversight as well as improve staffing in nursing homes.

This report highlights what Medicare Advantage plans, providers, and community partners are doing to address social risk factors for older adults. The report is based off of interviews with over 20 experts from 14 organizations representing health plans, providers, health plan associations, non-profit social service organizations, and service and technology vendors. Findings show an increase in plan activity to address areas of social isolation, transportation, housing, and food.

Researchers at Emory University Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center are seeking participants for a study on LGBTQ caregivers. The project is intended to help develop a caregiver training program that addresses the obstacles these caregivers face in caring for people with Dementia. The center is seeking individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, are 18 or older, and consider themselves a primary caregiver to complete a 60 minute questionnaire.

In collaboration with the Partners in Care Foundation, the Aging and Disability Business Institute has developed a Health Care Outreach Toolkit that offers customizable messages and targets for community-based organization (CBOs) to use when reaching out to potential health care partners.

ACL is introducing a new blog feature intended to keep the aging and disabilities networks up to date about new policies. Visit their blog page to read about the latest policy advancements in the field.

CMS Office of Minority Health is recognizing National Immunization Awareness month by providing immunization and vaccine resources on their website. The site houses shareable information about available, low cost vaccines, Medicare coverage for vaccines, COVID-19 resources, and more.

On August 3, 2021 CMS published a proposed rule that would rescind a 2019 policy change prohibiting reassignment of certain Medicaid payments. The rule would re-instate a policy that was first established in 2014 allowing payments to third parties when Medicaid program is the primary source of revenue for the provider. CMS is accepting comment on the proposed rule until September 28, 2021.

NAMD spoke with Medicaid Directors and senior program leaders to understand where they are focusing their time as they continue to respond to the pandemic, pursue long-term program innovation and improvement, and manage their staff. NAMD has found that Medicaid Directors and senior leaders are currently focusing on program innovation and strategic initiatives, stakeholder engagement, program operations, staff management, COVID response.