Medicaid Cuts for Adult Day Care Services
Federal Medicaid funds for states suffering a decline in tax revenues and an increased demand for Medicaid funding were increased by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This additional funding at the federal level is set to expire at the end of this year. However, there is support for a six month extension to keep funding at current levels.
There are currently several states who are still struggling with significant budget deficits. As a result, some have decided to cut funding for adult day care services. Expiration of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act could dramatically impact adult day care providers, the elderly, and their family caregivers.
Medicare Adult Day Services Bill
The Medicare Adult Day Services Bill was introduced by California Representative Sanchez. The bill now has more than 80 co-sponsors from about 30 states.
The Medicare Adult Day Care Services Act of 2009 would amend the Medicare portion of the nation’s Social Security Act to allow Medicare coverage for adult day care services.
The text of the bill characterizes adult day care centers as “an effective source of relief to familial caregivers” providing care options for the elderly people of the United States. The aging of the baby boomers will dramatically raise the nation’s number of seniors.
Health Care Reform Bill
The Health Care Reform Bill means that more people will be eligible for Medicaid services like adult day care. Access to these services will also be improved in the following ways:
- 6% additional federal funding will go to states for home and community-based individual care
- Eligibility for spousal Medicaid for home and community-based services will match nursing home eligibility requirements
- States will get more funding for the expansion of Medicaid to 133%
- The bill expands services of Aging and Disability Resource Centers, meaning more people will have access to services
- The Community Living Assistance and Support (CLASS Act) provision will establish a national insurance trust. In 5 more years, the trust will pay for services including adult day care.
Tags: Adult Day Care, Baby Boomers, Medicaid, Medicare
