Policy alerts, briefs, letters & papers

RRF Foundation for Aging has released an issue brief on investing in caregiving. More than 53 million people are family caregivers who provide essential support to older adults. Estimates suggest that the care they provide is worth nearly half a trillion dollars, making caregivers the nation’s largest healthcare workforce. This brief provides an overview of the key issues around caregiver support and describes the work the foundation is funding to address these issues.

Dual eligibles for Medicare and Medicaid have higher levels of chronic pain and use prescription opioids to treat pain more often than those eligible for Medicare only, putting them at a higher risk for opioid misuse or addiction. This brief presents examples of multimodal pain management options that clinicians can consider for treating pain among dually eligible individuals. The resource describes various treatment options, key evidence, and prescribing considerations for each option.

This resource outlines state examples of accountable care organizations’ incentives that can be used to advance health equity. This resource is a product of Advancing Health Equity: Leading Care, Payment, and Systems Transformation, a national program based at the University of Chicago, operated in partnership with CHCS and the Institute.

On May 13, 2021, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the HHS announced the creation of a National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters (NACSD). The NACSD will be implemented by ASPR and will provide guidance to HHS regarding preparing for, responding to, and recovery from disasters with a focus on the unique needs of older adults. HHS is currently accepting applications from individuals interested in serving on this committee. The deadline to apply is June 12.

The National Academy of Social Insurance published a new issue brief about universal LTSS programs in Europe and Asia. This brief provides an overview of the existing approaches abroad to the provision of universal LTSS, and considers lessons from an in-depth case study of Germany.

ACL issued grants totaling $1.4B to help older adults recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, funded through the American Rescue Plan. These grants will help provide meals and nutrition services, support family caregivers, help older adults connect and engage with others to reduce social isolation, re-open senior centers, and help residents of nursing homes resolve complaints.

On Tuesday, May 4, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a Center Informational Bulletin (CIB) discussing the recent extension of the HCBS spousal impoverishment policies. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 extended the requirement that Medicaid programs apply spousal impoverishment protections until September 30, 2023. CMS also described plans to release future guidance regarding options for income and asset disregards.

Justice in Aging has released a primer providing an overview of Medicaid HCBS, the bias within Medicaid towards institutional care, and how different states are serving older adults with disabilities in the community. It also briefly discusses the race, wealth, and population based inequities in the HCBS system.

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care published a summary on CMS' latest guidance on nursing home visitiation, issued on March 10, 2021. The summary highlights key points and changes from the September issue regarding indoor vistation as well as lists potential concerns.

Using data from the 2019 AAA National Survey, this brief, explores differences and similarities between AAAs serving rural and non-rural areas in structure, budget, workforce and service provision, including home repair and modification, transportation and evidence-based programs.