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The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) recently released a comprehensive report addressing the escalating issue of homelessness among older adults, a demographic experiencing a rapid increase in homelessness over recent years. This report gives an overview of the population of older adults at risk of or experiencing homelessness and what services and supports are available to serve them. The report also examines these topics with attention to what is known about racial and ethnic groups disproportionately impacted by homelessness. In addition, the report highlights the challenges older adults encounter in accessing available assistance while also spotlighting innovative practices, especially those implement

On November 17, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its intent to create a Federal Advisory Committee on Long COVID. Nominations for committee membership are open until January 16, 2024, with HHS inviting individuals directly impacted by Long COVID, healthcare practitioners, researchers, and representatives from related sectors to apply. The Committee will bring perspectives from outside the Government to help inform action of the Executive Branch on Long COVID and associated conditions, with a focus on health equity. The Committee will consist of up to 20 members, including any Chair, Vice Chair, or Co-Chairs...

On November 21, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first Biweekly National Snapshot for 2024 Marketplace Open Enrollment Data. CMS reports that nearly 4.6 million Americans have signed up for 2024 individual market health insurance coverage through the Marketplaces since the start of the 2024 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period (OEP) on November 1. This includes 4.1 million plan selections in the 32 states using the HealthCare.gov platform for the 2024 plan year, through November 18, 2023 (Week 3), and 502,000 plan selections in the 17 states and the District of Columbia with State-based Marketplaces (SBMs) that are using their own eligibility and enrollment platforms, through November 11, 2023 (Week 2)...

On November 16, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new Language Access Plan, which includes critical actions to improve access to HHS programs and services for people with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency. With provisions that specifically address the effective communication and accessibility requirements found in sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the HHS Language Access Plan is the latest in a series of important actions taken by ACL and our partners across federal government over the last several years to uphold the rights of people with disabilities.

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period ends Thursday, December 7. During this time, people with Medicare can compare coverage options, like Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and choose health and drug plans for 2024. Medicare Advantage and Part D plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year, so people with Medicare should look at their coverage choices and decide on the options that best meet their health needs. Coverage changes made during the open enrollment period take effect January 1, 2024.

Starting on September 25, every U.S. household had an opportunity to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests through a partnership between the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the United States Postal Service. On November 20, a second round of ordering opened, allowing each household to place a second order to receive four more free tests. Households that have not yet placed an order can place two orders now, to receive a total of eight tests. People who are blind or have low vision can place a second order for free Ellume COVID Home Tests, which are more accessible than other options.

Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Spousal Impoverishment Standards, and the 2024 Medicare Savings Program resource standards. Certain Medicaid income and resource standards are adjusted beginning each January in accordance with changes in the SSI federal benefit rate (FBR) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The MSP groups are mandatory Medicaid eligibility groups that provide coverage of some or all Medicare Part A and B premiums and cost-sharing for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The resource standards for the MSP groups are based on the SSI resource standard, which is set forth in statute...

On November 20, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved a settlement (Campos v. Kijakazi, No. 21 Civ. 5143 (E. D. N. Y.)), that will provide automatic remedies to nearly a quarter million Supplement Security Income (SSI) recipients who will have back benefits credited to their accounts. The settlement comes after a class action lawsuit filed by the New York Legal Assistance Group, Justice in Aging, and Arnold & Porter alleged that pandemic-related administrative errors and shutdowns led the Social Security Administration to charge low-income recipients with overpayments. The certified class includes all individuals with an SSI overpayment incurred between March 2020 and April 2023.

Adult Protective Services (APS) programs promote the safety, independence, and quality-of-life for vulnerable adults who are, or are in danger of, being abused, neglected by self or others, or financially exploited, and who are unable to protect themselves. APS is a social service program authorized by law in every state to receive and investigate reports of elder or vulnerable adult maltreatment and to intervene to protect the victims to the extent possible. Section topics in this fact sheet include: What is APS?; Reporting Elder/Vulnerable Adult Abuse; What does APS Do?; Client Protections; and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

This brief, part of the New APS Administrators Toolkit, contains information and resources on a variety of topics from the history of APS to federal resources that can support APS programs and will provide a foundation for understanding some of the complexities of APS program administration.