Policy alerts, briefs, letters & papers

The National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD) published two policy briefs to provide a summary description from a disability perspective on the Final Rules implementing Title I (Workforce Development Systems) and Title IV (State Vocational Rehabilitation) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). These policy briefs highlight important requirements and activities that will impact individuals with disabilities.

The Center for Policy and Evaluation, Administration for Community Living (ACL) published the policy brief “Promoting Community Living for Older Adults Who Need” in June, which marked the 17th anniversary of the Olmstead v. LC Supreme Court decision. The Olmstead decision has helped older adults and people with disabilities receive more integrated care; however, the policy brief outlines opportunities that states have to further improve their home and community-based services (HCBS).

The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) and Community Catalyst released an issue brief regarding the Financial Alignment Demonstrations. This issue brief discusses key findings from research on the demonstrations and proposes recommendations in two areas: operational or practice changes for health plans and program adjustments for policymakers.

ADvancing States has released the association’s 2016 policy priorities. The priorities document outlines issues and recommendations regarding a wide range of health and human services programs important to older adults and people with disabilities. These include issues such as: • Implementation of the Older Americans Act reauthorization; • Medicaid LTSS innovations; • Support for caregivers; and • Employment for people with disabilities •

The Kaiser Commission of Medicaid and the Uninsured published an issue brief on the system design of Medicaid's current home and community-based (HCBS) programs.

On April 21, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on managed care in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This document contains a table that serves as a reference guide to the implementation dates for provisions in the final rule.

On April 21, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on managed care in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The final rule enhances transparency in Medicaid and CHIP managed care, supports states in contracting with health plans that offer higher-value care, improves consumer and stakeholder engagement, and, where feasible, aligns quality measurement and improvement in Medicaid and CHIP managed care with other systems of care.

On April 21, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on managed care in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This final rule updates the options available and provides increased flexibility to states and Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans to communicate with beneficiaries.

On April 21, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on managed care in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). As states increasingly turn to managed care to deliver long term services and supports (MLTSS) to seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicaid, CMS has strengthened approaches to MLTSS programs and beneficiary protections, while allowing states flexibility in program design and administration.

On April 21, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on managed care in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This document discusses how the final rule will strengthen the fiscal integrity of Medicaid and CHIP managed care.