The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a $2.25 billion grant program to support community-based alternatives to institutional long-term. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced $159 million now available for training nurses and geriatric specialists.
The $2.25 billion grants extend the Money Follows the Person (MFP) rebalancing demonstration, say CMS officials, and will allow more individuals with care needs “to live independently in their homes and communities instead of in institutional long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.” The new grant solicitation encourages states not currently participating in the MFP demonstration program to apply for funds. According to the CMS, “with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, states already participating in the demonstration are afforded the opportunity to expand and extend their MFP grant program.”
“The Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration has been critical to our efforts to deliver on the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act and expand access to community living services,” says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
On August 11 (2-4 pm EDT), CMS will facilitate a national call for all interested MFP demonstration applicants. Beginning in September, CMS will offer a series of technical assistance calls and training Webinars to provide instruction to states on grant application development. For additional information, visit the MFP section of the CMS Web site.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the availability of new funding for the training of nurses and geriatric specialists. “We cannot build a healthier America if our country continues to face a growing health professions shortage,” says Kathleen Sebelius, the U.S. secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services “A well-trained, educated, and diverse workforce is critical to meeting future health-care demands, and to reforming the nation’s health-care system.”
Full details are available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site.
ALFA helped shared the legislation that was passed by Congress supporting both of these programs. The organization will continue to monitor the implementation and success of each.
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