WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ATI Advisory (ATI)
released its blueprint for reforming Medicaid long-term services
and supports and developing a stronger caregiving workforce. With
support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, ATI developed a
package of key policy proposals to increase access to home and
community-based services, reduce biases toward institutional care
in Medicaid, and create better caregiving jobs.
The release of this blueprint comes at a time when Congress is
considering, as part of the rescue package, a one-year increase in
the federal contribution to Medicaid-funded home and
community-based services. ATI's recommendations build on this
policy to provide states with improved financial support and
predictability. The recommendations also tackle long-standing
Medicaid eligibility policies that limit access to home- and
community-based services aligning with the President's priorities
around job creation and valuing the direct care
workforce.1
"An increase in federal funding is an important first step on a
longer-term path to a more equitable and balanced system," said
Allison Rizer, Principal at ATI
Advisory and co-lead researcher. But, she cautions, "More federal
dollars will not make a big difference if they aren't combined with
modernization of home and community-based eligibility criteria."
"Workforce is the third leg of this stool," said Tyler Cromer, Principal at ATI Advisory, and
co-lead researcher. "Home care workers make up the fastest growing
job category in our country, but the average worker is paid
$12.71 an hour and turnover is
staggeringly high. We cannot sustain and support individuals in the
community without a strong and supported workforce."
ATI Advisory's blueprint recognizes that for many Americans,
everyday activities like bathing and cooking are incredibly
difficult due to medical and functional needs. Home and
community-based services can be a lifeline for these individuals –
to help them live safely at home and age with dignity. But decades
of policymaking have favored facility-based care, and too many of
these individuals either go without formal supports or are limited
to institutional care. This work underscores the aging demographics
of our country and the impact of unmet need on individuals, their
caregivers, and the broader healthcare system. Policymakers can
immediately help by passing legislation that modernizes Medicaid
eligibility policy, incentivizes states to cover these important
services for those in need, and supports the caregiving
workforce.
1The Biden Plan for Mobilizing American Talent and
Heart to Create a 21st Century Caregiving and Education Workforce:
www.joebiden.com/caregiving.
See Blueprint and Policy Briefs:
www.atiadvisory.com/a-blueprint-for-reforming-Medicaid-long-term-services-and-supports-and-creating-good-caregiving-jobs.
About ATI Advisory
ATI Advisory is a research
and advisory services firm working to transform the delivery of
healthcare and aging services for older adults. By providing
insight and strategy backed by original research, ATI helps
organizations lead and deliver change in senior healthcare and
long-term services and supports systems. For more information,
visit www.atiadvisory.com.
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SOURCE ATI Advisory