May 2012

The Kaiser Family Foundation released the following fact sheet about Medicaid and Health Care Reform:

5 KEY QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICAID AND ITS ROLE IN STATE/FEDERAL BUDGETS & HEALTH REFORM

United Senior Action joins other senior organizations nationwide in its support of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (The Affordable Care Act or ACA)

The Affordable Act improves care for older adults, protects and strengthens Medicare, provides a way to eliminate the donut hole for prescription drugs and offers several incentives to states to transition away from nursing home care into the more desired home and community based services and supports for long term care. These programs include

• Money Follows the Person
  MFP gives states an enhanced federal Medicaid match to help people transition from a nursing home or other institution back into the community.

• Balance Incentive Payments Program
  Starting in October 2011, eligible states can apply for federal grants to direct more funds to community-based care instead of institutions. (As of November 2011, Indiana is researching and thinking about participating in this program.)

• Community First Choice Option
  Starting in October 2011, states can choose to provide a broad range of personal attendant services and supports to eligible individuals and receive additional federal funding. (As of November 2011, Indiana is researching and thinking about participating in this program.)

• Medicaid HCBS State Plan Option
  States have gained greater flexibility with this Medicaid state plan option thanks to health reform.

• Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS)
  CLASS is a new voluntary, federally administered, consumer-financed, long-term care insurance program established under the Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act also significantly reduces the number of uninsured Americans, and makes important delivery system reforms to reduce costs and improve quality—all in a fiscally responsible manner.

Go to our Health Care Reform Resources page to find more information about what is included in The Affordable Care Act and to explore what other organizations have to say about PPACA and a single payer system.