Category: Medicad
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Statement Marking 59th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
By SD Network, 2024-08-25
When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law, the United States moved a step closer to being a country where health care was recognized as a right, not treated as a privilege only available to a select few. The data are clear: strengthening Medicaid benefits not only the individual, but the community.
As the start of 2024, many issues are at play that will affect Medicaid coverage, financing, and access. Medicaid is the primary program providing comprehensive health and long-term care coverage to one in five low-income Americans. This article explains what else to watch for in Medicaid coverage in 2024.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: HHS Provides Additional Tools to Strengthen Access to Quality HCBS
By SD Network, 2023-12-15
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Recently, the White House hosted care leaders, workers, and champions to discuss new data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on funding for home and community-based care through the American Rescue Plan. These funds are an investment in strengthening access to home and community-based services (HCBS) across the country. All 50 states are using this funding to improve their long-term care systems.
At the White House event, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced that the department, through CMS, is providing additional tools that will help improve access for millions who receive Medicaid HCBS. CMS issued new guidance focused on building and maintaining worker registries so more individuals receiving Medicaid-covered services can receive care in a setting of their choice. This guidance marks another step toward increased access to quality HCBS so older adults and individuals with disabilities can live safely and independently in their homes and communities. Read more about how these investments in long-term care and the care workforce expand access to care by investing in our direct care workforce. |
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More than 1,500 people responded to Survival Coalition's survey asking how Wisconsin's disability community uses our state's more than 20 Medicaid programs, and how their lives would be impacted if Medicaid changes (e.g. funding is cut and per capita caps are imposed as passed in the House version of the AHCA). Here is a sampling of those statewide results, organized by Congressional district, along with information about Medicaid and Medicaid funding in Wisconsin.
On April 25th, The Arc Wisconsin hosted an on-line conversation with The Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations and the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition to update Wisconsin residents on the latest threats to Medicaid. This training featured the latest information direct from The Arc US lobbyists who have been spending time on Capitol Hill.
Congress is considering proposals that are estimated to cut federal Medicaid funding by 25%. Wisconsin currently operates more than 20 Medicaid programs; one in five people use some form of Medicaid which can include Birth to 3 services, Family Care, IRIS, school therapies, Katie Beckett, autism supports, personal care, mental health supports and more…
You can listen to a recording of the training by going to this link.
See the presentation slides: http://www.survivalcoalitionwi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Next-Steps-for-Advocates-Protecting-Medicaid-4-25-17.pdf
The process for accessing personal care services through Medicaid is changing for those who are enrolled in “fee for services” Medicaid. This impacts most children and some adults including:
- BadgerCare Plus members
- Wisconsin Medicaid members
- Include, Respect, I Self-Direct (IRIS) members who do not self-direct their personal care services
- Members enrolled in Wraparound Milwaukee or Children Come First programs
The change impacts the assessment process to determine eligibility and the numbers of hours of support a member is eligible to receive. DHS recently issued a Forward health memo called the New Personal Care Independent Assessment and Prior Authorization Policy describing the change. Attached is the fact sheet that was sent to members starting Monday April 17th. Implementation will start June 1st.
New Approval Process for Personal Care Services PCIAfactsheet4-2017.pdf, 70KB ∞
Late in March, a proposal to overhaul the nation's healthcare system and revamp Medicaid was voted down. Advocates feel it's good news for people with disabilities. There were simply not enough votes to pass the legislation.
GEORGE TOWN UNIVERSITY: Top Five Threats to Children and Families Posed by a Medicaid Block Grant
By SD Network, 2017-03-02
George Town University released an article listing the top five threats posed to children and families by turning the Medicaid program into a block grant. The reasons include:
- It's a cut.
- It jeopardizes the nation's progress in covering kids.
- It leaves states holding the bag when a new disease strikes or a new treatment is discovered.
- It diminishes state flexibility to respond to changing economic circumstances.
- It endangers key features of Medicaid that work for kids – namely its strong benefits and cost-sharing protections.
The article explains why each reason is a threat. Block grants are said to bring innovation and opportunities to states, but many feel that any major changes to Medicaid would have a big impact on the health and financial security of families and communities.