Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Home and Community Based Care Added to Healthcare Reform Bill

The Senate Finance last week adopted several amendments in its healthcare reform bill that apply to long-term care.

An amendment introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) would insert language that expresses Congress' interest to address long-term care services and supports in a comprehensive way. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) offered one that links increases in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) with states' use of Medicaid funds for home- and community-based services.

Yet another would place the Elder Justice Act inside the massive legislation. The act would help prevent and detect elder abuse, and prosecute those who commit it.

Full Article and Source:
Legislative Amendments Emphasize Home and Community Based Care - Elder Justice Act

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Unless there is a condition in the bill to oversee guardianship and make them accountable to someone other than their own attorney, it would do no good to most of us.

Anonymous said...

I am 100% for home and community based care vs nursing facilities. Anything toward that goal is a good move.

StandUp said...

When times are bad, one of the first programs cut is home care.

It should be the last program cut.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Thelma's comment on the EJA -- it must contain the term, "guardian" or it won't do the guardianship community as much good as intended.