Long Term Services and Supports

More than 10 million Americans require long-term care supports and services yet the system for delivering and paying for this assistance is deeply flawed. The national health reform debate allows policymakers to reconsider long-term care as well. This paper assesses proposals to restructure the delivery and financing of long-term care services.

This policy brief presents four options that merit serious consideration in the current health care reform discussions. The first two options would improve long-term care for people with low incomes and limited financial resources. Review ideas on expanding Medicaid support for home and community-based services and improve coordination of medical and long-term care for Medicare-Medicaid “Dual Eligibles”. Poll results also gauge interest in reform if long-term services and supports were included.

As it becomes increasingly clear that a vigorous effort toward reforming the nation’s health care system will be an important part of the policy landscape in the near future, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) seeks to ensure that health care reform efforts fully consider the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. This brief outlines NASDDDS position on this important issue.

This eighth edition of this reference report presents comparable state- and national-level data for more than 140 indicators on long-term services and supports from a wide variety of sources. Published approximately every two years, the series was developed to help inform policy discussions among public and private sector leaders. This publication presents the most up-to-date data available at the time of production, and is displayed in easy-to-use maps, graphics, tables, and state profiles.

This paper examines the extent to which states have balanced the delivery of Medicaid-funded LTC services and supports to people in their homes and in institutions. What is unique about this report is its primary focus on older people and adults with physical disabilities separate from other LTC populations, such as people with developmental disabilities. Explore what has been accomplished under current Medicaid law and review how federal policies impact the ability to balance service delivery.

The booklet is a publication of the Louisiana Nursing Facility Transition Grant. It is a Self Assessment Transition guide to assist individuals in nursing facilities on how to start planning for a move to the community and obtaining the supports and services they will need. It includes contact information for available state programs, along with contacts for housing options.

Interviews were conducted to identify current perceptions, patterns, themes, and suggestions for improving the choice and self-direction, quality and access to long term care supports. This research also identified ways to develop a mechanism to balance state resources for services, and to identify elements for the design and structure of a single point of entry mechanism. Groups included: consumers of HCBS, elderly and younger nursing home residents, family members of consumers, and providers.

This paper explores and analyzes selected state approaches to engage nursing facility operators to be part of systems change activities that offer individuals additional, less restrictive choices to live more independently with appropriate supports. The strategies described offer other states lessons learned that may be replicated as part of a broader approach to meet changing and growing demand for home and community-based services. Efforts in IN, IA, MI, MN, NE, ND, NY, and WI are described.

Legisbrief is a briefing papers that offers important issues of the day. This volume provides an overview of the new demonstration initiative entitled \"Money Follows the Person.\" States now have additional support from the federal government. The new federal demonstration provides new financial incentives for states to initiate system of flexible spending for long-term services and supports that enables available funds to move with the individual to the most appropriate and preferred setting.

AARP has developed a two page fact sheet that outlines the definitions, need, funding and expansion options for home and community based services.