WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 We commend the administration's call for extending the increased federal Medicaid match that originated with last year's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. States are still hurting from the effects of the recession, and this additional funding will be needed well into 2011 to prevent cuts in services for older adults.
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Many Medicare and Medicaid issues that otherwise might appear in the budget are still tied up in health reform legislation. We will work with the administration and Congress to ensure that long-term services and supports providers receive the regular Medicare payment update in 2011, whether under health care reform or in budget legislation.
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It's also good news that the administration appears to have listened to our proposal for making the Section 202 senior housing program the platform for the delivery of supportive services, and we see a tilting of the administration's agenda toward housing with services. The bad news is that while the program is revamped, the administration requests no new funding for expanding the Section 202 program. We will urge Congress to restore funding for new capital advances in the fiscal year 2011 budget and spending legislation.
Increased funding for programs that support caregivers and home and community-based services as well as a focus on eliminating fraud and abuse in Medicare will help improve health care for older adults and create the future of aging services.
The draft budget presents an overview of the president's vision for 2011 priorities, and many details remain to be clarified. We look forward to working with Congress to advance a federal budget that preserves essential resources so older adults can receive the services they need, when they need them, in the place they call home.
About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,700 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA's commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.
SOURCE American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
