All States/Territories

To date, the ACA has provided or offered $2.8 billion in funding to states. This includes funding for long-term care and health workforce needs. This report, released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, highlights the flexibility and resources provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to improve health care benefits and protect consumers.

Released each decade, this research measures progress for health issues in specific populations and serves as a foundation for prevention and wellness across various sectors and government levels. Review this site to find goals pertaining to living longer and free of preventable disease, disability, injury and premature death; achieving health equity; creating social and physical environments that promote good health; and promoting quality of life, healthy development and healthy behaviors.

How can states provide outreach and resources to employers in order to encourage and support them in hiring individuals with disabilities? Explore the "Abilities" newsletter archive in order to see examples of the electronic newsletter to employers produced every other month by the state of Vermont. May be helpful for other MIG states working to reach out to employers.

Contained in these attachments are links to several examples of Webinars broadcasted in the state of Utah and aimed at individuals with disabilities interested in working while keeping their Health Care benefits. Included is information on Medicaid and working, Medicaid Work Incentive, Employment Personal Assistance Services, how employment affects recipients of Medicare and more.

How does the state of Pennsylvania direct consumers to resources on agencies and programs that help people with disabilities to work and improve their financial security? Peruse the website for information on Works for Me, a MIG program that guides consumers in finding jobs, obtaining training, keeping health insurance, getting assistive technology, and more.

Contained in this research report are the results from a survey conducted with adults receiving mental health services in North Dakota and professionals who administer mental health services. Reviewing this information may be helpful for agencies, policymakers, and advocates seeking to build on the current system of mental health services.

In July 2010, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured surveyed states about the current status of their Money Follows the Person (MFP) program including trends in enrollment, services and per capita spending. Explore the report for information on the findings regarding information on transitions back to the community, the average monthly cost of transitioning a MFP participant to the community, obstacles to transition, and more.

With tax revenues still declining as a result of the recession and budget reserves largely drained, the vast majority of states have made spending cuts that hurt families and reduce necessary services. Explore the reasons for these cuts as well as arguments for the continuing and increasing need for these services through the attached report.

To learn more about long-term services and supports, the key characteristics of a high-performing system, and new options and incentives in the Affordable Care Act that can support cost-effective programs to help people with disabilities remain in their homes and communities, access this article. This paper outlines the five key characteristics of a high-performing system of long-term services and supports and describes an emerging “scorecard” that could help measure states’ progress.

The new issue of Generations, the quarterly journal of the American Society on Aging, is devoted entirely to the eldercare workforce. The Winter 2010-11 issue covers: the current state of the nation’s eldercare workforce; the eldercare workforce’s makeup, deficiencies, and strengths; and strategies for much-needed workforce recruitment, training and management, policy development, and fostering of cultural competencies.