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The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has collaborated with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago to curate a comprehensive data analysis report regarding Elder Financial Exploitation (EFE) losses experienced by adults over the age of 60. They found that victims of EFE in the United States lose $28.3 billion a year, and about 72% of the losses arise from fraud by people the victims know personally....

Every July, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States. Due to multiple factors including lack of access to quality mental health care services, the cultural stigma surrounding mental health care, discrimination, and overall lack of awareness about mental health, these types of communities often suffer from poor mental health outcomes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health (HHSOMH),...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted an expanded Report to Congress for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) in Medicaid. This new report supplies data from the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) from 2018-2021. This report provides a detailed analysis of Medicaid coverage of NEMT such as the types of medical services accessed when using NEMT by beneficiary subgroup, a comparison by delivery model of the volume of NEMT services used by states, and monthly trends in the use of NEMT versus telehealth services.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the launch of the School-Based Services (SBS) Technical Assistance Center (TAC). The goal of the TAC is to assist State Medicaid agencies and local education agencies (LEAs) in expanding their capacity for providing Medicaid SBS. The TAC works with these agencies to expand school-based health services to ensure that children have the health services and support necessary to build resilience and thrive. Recent CMS and CDC reports show that poor mental health and suicidal thoughts have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, while primary and preventative health services have decreased. The TAC’s new guide gives comprehensive suggestions on how to improve...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alzheimer's Association have released the fourth edition of the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map, titled "Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027." This Road Map provides public health officials across the United States with a comprehensive set of strategies to promote brain health and enhance the lives of individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. The new edition focuses on strengthening partnerships, evaluating and utilizing data, building a diverse workforce, and engaging and educating the public. It emphasizes health equity and addresses social determinants of health that impact brain health.....

MACPAC is currently hiring a Principal Analyst specializing in Medicaid Managed Care. This role requires extensive knowledge of Medicaid and CHIP programs, particularly in relation to the delivery and financing of services through managed care. The Principal Analyst will collaborate with MACPAC colleagues to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses on various policy areas, including payment models, social determinants of health, access, quality, and program integrity. The ideal candidate should possess strong critical thinking, policy analysis, and project management skills, along with a deep understanding of state and federal Medicaid and CHIP policies. This full-time position offers federal employee health and retirement benefits...

MACPAC is seeking a candidate for the position of Long Term Services and Supports Principal Analyst. This role requires a seasoned expert in Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) policy with a focus on long-term services and supports. This role involves conducting rigorous research projects on Medicaid and CHIP topics, leading the development of MACPAC's research agenda, and applying subject matter expertise to analyze proposed policies and emerging issues. The analyst will also be responsible for preparing technical analyses to support congressional staff, effectively communicating complex information to diverse audiences, ensuring the quality of MACPAC's work, and representing the organization in stakeholder...

On June 30th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released revised guidance detailing the requirements and parameters of the new Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for the first round of negotiations, which will occur in 2023 and 2024. The agency received over 7,500 comments on the initial guidance which was released in March 2023. According to CMS, the agency is releasing the revised guidance with changes from the initial guidance to improve transparency and foster an effective negotiation process....

Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), together with Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), have announced the relaunch of the bipartisan, bicameral Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus. The caucus aims to address the challenges faced by family caregivers and advocate for supportive policies. With nearly 20 million adults requiring assistance and 53 million caregivers in the United States, the ACT Caucus seeks to raise awareness and find solutions to provide much-needed support for caregivers and their loved ones.

Justice in Aging has published a fact sheet providing guidance for advocates working with older adults who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. It emphasizes two important features of the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS): Medicaid termination does not immediately end LIS enrollment, and LIS eligibility is often more generous than Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) eligibility rules. The fact sheet offers practice tips to help advocates ensure that older adults understand their LIS enrollment during the Medicaid unwinding period and their options for continuing their LIS coverage...