Category Archives: Long Term Services and Supports

Read about long term services and support issues as they relate to The Arc’s public policy.

Congress Weighs Fourth Coronavirus Bill

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This week, Congressional leaders continue to consider a possible fourth coronavirus response package and what should be included in it. The Arc’s priorities include:

  • Grants to support access to home and community-based services (to minimize the risk of people with disabilities being forced into institutions) and to support the direct support professional (DSP) workforce
  • Personal protective equipment for DSPs
  • Paid leave and sick days for family caregivers of adults with disabilities
  • Allowing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients to receive their Recovery Rebates without filing needless paperwork

Read The Arc’s blog for more information.

Congress Approves COVID-19 Stimulus Package

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Last week, both houses of Congress approved and President Trump signed a $2.2 trillion bill to address the economic and other impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. The final bill addresses some priorities of the disability community by allowing non-profit organizations that serve people with I/DD to receive small business loan assistance, allowing direct support professionals (DSPs) to accompany people they support in hospitals, extending the Money Follows the Person program, and providing additional funds for education (which can be used for special education) and housing. However, the bill missed the mark by failing to include more funding for home and community based services, address the shortage of medical equipment or DSPs, or fund paid time off for family caregivers of people with disabilities. Furthermore, while people receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be eligible for recovery rebates without risk of losing their benefits, the bill requires them to files taxes, regardless of income level. Learn more about recovery rebates here. Read The Arc’s statement.

Medicaid/LTSS: HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act Introduced in Senate

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On February 12, Senator Robert P. Casey (D-PA) introduced the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Infrastructure Improvement Act (S.3277). This bill provides seven-year grants to states to improve the Home and Community Based Services systems by doing at least three of the following:

  • Increasing the availability of housing;
  • Expanding transportation options;
  • Increasing wages, benefits, and support for direct support professionals;
  • Expanding competitive integrated employment; and
  • Building no-wrong-door application, referral, and counseling systems.

The Arc supports this legislation. Learn more.

Medicaid/LTSS: Congress Approves MFP Extension

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Late last month, Congress approved and President Trump signed a five-month extension of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R.1865). However, Congress did not approve a permanent reauthorization. MFP has helped more than 90,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions. Independent evaluations have shown that MFP improves the quality of life for individuals and has reduced Medicaid and Medicare expenditures by approximately 23%. Learn more about MFP here and read The Arc’s statement.

TAKE ACTION! TODAY Is National Call-In Day for MFP Reauthorization

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On December 16, advocates are holding a national call-in day to urge Congress to pass a permanent Money Follows the Person (MFP) reauthorization before funding runs out at the end of the year. On December 6, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced a bipartisan agreement to permanently reauthorize MFP as part of the larger Drug Pricing and Healthcare Extenders Package. MFP has helped more than 90,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions. Independent evaluations have shown that MFP improves the quality of life for individuals and has reduced Medicaid and Medicare expenditures by approximately 23%. Learn more about MFP here.

Take action here! To learn more about the call-in day, please visit the Facebook event page or the Center for Public Representation’s website. 

Medicaid/LTSS: Senators Announce Bipartisan Agreement to Permanently Reauthorize MFP

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On December 6, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced a bipartisan agreement to permanently reauthorize the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) spousal impoverishment protections as part of the larger Drug Pricing and Healthcare Extenders Package. MFP has helped more than 90,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions. Independent evaluations have shown that MFP improves the quality of life for individuals and has reduced Medicaid and Medicare expenditures by approximately 23%. The spousal impoverishment protection allows the spouse of a person receiving Medicaid HCBS to maintain a modest amount of income and resources for food, rent, and medication. Read The Arc’s statement here.

Medicaid/LTSS: The Arc Releases New Videos on Deinstitutionalization and Community Living

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The Arc recently released two new videos relating to deinstitutionalization and community living. The first video discusses the fact that 37 states still have state-run institutions for people with I/DD. The video features self-advocates and siblings discussing the need to close remaining institutions. Additionally, it calls for additional resources to make community living possible. The second video features self-advocates discussing what community living means to them. It calls for additional funding to eliminate waiting lists.

Medicaid/LTSS: House, Senate Approve Extensions of MFP, F2F Health Information Centers, Spousal Impoverishment Protections

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The Senate and House of Representatives passed the Sustaining Excellence in Medicaid Act of 2019 (H.R.3253) on July 25 and 30, respectively. This bill adds $122.5 million for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration, extends the authorization for Family-to-Family (F2F) Health Information Centers through 2024, and extends the spousal impoverishment protections for home and community based services beneficiaries until December 31. F2F Health Information Centers provide critical support to families caring for children and youth with special health care needs (and assist providers, state and federal agencies, legislators, and other stakeholders to better understand and serve this constituency). MFP has helped more than 88,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions. Independent evaluations have proven that MFP improves the quality of life for individuals and has reduced Medicaid and Medicare expenditures by approximately 23%. The spousal impoverishment protection allows the spouse of a Medicaid long term services and supports (LTSS) beneficiary to maintain a modest amount of income and resources for food, rent, and medication. This bill must now be signed by President Trump in order to become law. The Arc continues to push for a long term extension of MFP via the EMPOWER Care Act which is currently under consideration in the Senate.

LTSS: HCBS Business Acumen Center to Host Webinar on Stabilizing Business Operations

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On June 20, the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Business Acumen Center will host a webinar titled “Holding the Course: Stabilizing Business Operations.” Panelists will be Chip Dodd, President and CEO of Support Services of Virginia, Inc; and Laura Vegas, Managed Care Organizations Business Acumen Director at the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. The webinar will take place from 12:30-1:30 p.m. EDT. Register here.

Health/LTSS: Representatives Introduce Medicare for America Act

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On May 1, Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and 14 other co-sponsors introduced the Medicare for America Act (H.R.2452). The bill expands Medicare to cover all persons not covered by employer-sponsored health insurance. Additionally, it expands Medicare’s benefit package to include long term services and supports (LTSS), among other things. The Arc supports including provisions to cover LTSS in any comprehensive health reform proposal.