Data

Every year numerous children with severe disabilities who get in-home care through state Medicaid funds age out of the program. Some go to nursing homes, other families struggle to keep their children at home but often get overwhelmed by the care. Read this story about an Illinois family’s struggle, and other families who are suing states for continuation of home care. Links to interactive databases, e.g., milestones in LTC policies with other related information are included in the article.

Looking for samples of MIG program evaluations? The state of Connecticut created the attached evaluation reports for their Connect-Ability Program. These samples contain program details and the needs, experiences, and satisfaction of individuals who received services. Also included are the procedures and outcomes of nine strategic plans implemented by Local Level Pilot programs. These reports could be helpful for states interesting in evaluating similar initiatives.

Implementation of ACA will raise a number of issues for working people with disabilities currently receiving Medicaid, especially regarding how the Acts’ provisions will interact with the programs that currently provide them access to care. This brief addresses challenges such as these, succinctly delineating data-supported lessons learned by the MIG grantees in their experience with the program, and future needs associated with them.

For the tenth consecutive year, a survey of Medicaid officials in all 50 states and DC was conducted to track trends in Medicaid spending, enrollment and policy initiatives. Findings are presented for FYs 2010 and 2011. As states grapple with historically difficult budget conditions, they must also plan for the implementation of the ACA. Review this report including background on the Medicaid program, as well as current issues the program faces.

According to the results of this survey, the most significant factors that drive turnover among home care workers are wages, intrinsic rewards, age (older workers are less likely to leave their jobs), and education level (more years of education result in higher retention). The study involved a sample of 116 home care aides employed by three agencies.

Despite the current budget climate that has dampened the pace of some rebalancing efforts, 32 states expanded Medicaid long-term services and supports in FY 2010 (primarily expanding HCBS programs) and 32 states planned expansions for FY2011. This updated fact sheet provides an overview of long-term care services, delivery of such services, and the large role Medicaid plays in financing long-term care.

Arizona has issued reports detailing work the state has done in supporting individuals with disabilities transitioning to work,and self-sufficiency with work incentives, health care coverage, benefits planning, etc. Attached are documents regarding outreach done for the Medicaid Buy-In program including which individuals were trained to disseminate the information, and data on the increase in work incentive utilization for SSI recipients.

A large proportion of the population is facing the competing demands of working and caring for a loved one. This study investigates the impact of informal caregiving, employment, and the combination of these responsibilities on the overall well-being of the caregiver. Higher well-being reported by employed caregivers compared with non-employed counterparts suggests that the benefits of employment, such as financial security and social support, can ease the burden of the caregiving role.

This updated resource, the first reflecting a ten year perspective, provides a state‐by‐state look at wages and wage trends for PHCAs, the fourth fastest‐growing occupation in the country, and a key job title within the direct‐care workforce. Prepared as a resource guide on wages for advocates and policymakers, the data underscore the problem of low wages for PHCAs, factors which contribute to workforce instability and near‐poverty incomes for this workforce.

Two studies examine the need for HCBS services and the economic profiles of adults with disabilities in MA. The main study examines the unmet needs of adults age 18-59 with disabilities, and the caregiver study focuses on the perspective of informal caregivers, i.e., their unmet needs and those of the people for whom they provide care. A detailed description of the survey methodology and exact criteria for selection into the study is included, as well as copies of the surveys.