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2008 Public Policy Agenda
The following issues affect adult day services and are either currently being
considered by Congress or on the verge of introduction. Supporting National
Adult Day Services' policy priorities will help assure that the full range of
long-term care options is available to the individuals and families you serve.
- Funding for the Older Americans Act Programs - NADSA supports a 9%
increase in funding for the FY 09 Budget for Older Americans Act programs
specifically the National Family Caregivers Program, Title III B and E programs,
Title II Nursing Home Diversion grants through the Choices for Independence
program, Social Service Block grants, Community Services Block Grants and
Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants.
- Protect and Expand Federal Funding for Adult Day Services - NADSA
urges Congress to increase options for the Medicaid funding of adult day
services. We encourage Congress to raise income eligibility levels for Home and
Community-based Services state plan amendments, remove the limit on scope of
services, remove the ability for States to cap the number of beneficiaries,
increase the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage by 5% for state expenditures
for home and community-based services, and allow States to offer benchmark
packages of additional services for individuals who are not qualified for
traditional Medicaid. NADSA urges Congress to allow the eight States that
currently offer adult day health services as a Medicaid state plan option
(California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts
and Washington) to continue to receive funding under this state plan option.
- Promote the adoption of the Medicare Demonstration Project for Adult Day
Care Services as a permanent service covered under Medicare. The ADS
demonstration project will provide Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) with
the data needed to evaluate the efficacy and cost effectiveness of adult day
services as a substitute option for home health care services. The demonstration
project will last three years, with an evaluation completed no later than six
months after the end of the three years. The projected date for the report to
Congress is July 1, 2009.
- Providing Access to Respite Services for Caregivers - Respite is
consistently identified as one of the top needs of caregivers for older adults
and people with disabilities. The Lifespan Respite Bill was passed December
2006. NADSA is now advocating appropriate appropriations for 2009. The bill
would create a model for providing respite services to people of all ages and
all disabilities through federal grants to the states. Under the program the
grants would allow states to coordinate respite services including adult day
services across what is now a very fragmented system.
- Passage of the CLASS Act (S. 1951) - NADSA supports the Community
Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act. The act would create a
voluntary nationwide insurance program helping people save for long-term care
expenses including adult day services. The CLASS Act is a hopeful new approach
to protecting independence and choice for millions of Americans and enabling
them to take greater control of their lives. It would give them the dignity,
hope, and opportunity they deserve.
- Support Successful Implementation of the Money Follows the Person
Rebalancing Demonstration Project - The Money Follows the Person grants were
awarded to 31 States in 2007 in order to help them transition older adults and
people with disabilities from institutions back into the community. NADSA
believes that adult day services is a quality, cost-effective home and
community-based service that that is an important part of the success of
transitioning from nursing homes to the community.
- Community Choice Act (S. 799) - Covers personal attendant care as
part of the state Medicaid option. The bill doesn't currently mention adult day
services. NADSA asks that adult day health care programs with personal attendant
care be included. The Community Choice Act addresses individual choice. It would
allow individuals to choose to receive their care in the community, rather than
in an institutional setting.
- Alzheimer's Family Assistance Act of 2007 (S. 897) - Starts at a
$1000 tax credit in 2007 and increases each year until it reaches $3000 in 2011
for individuals caring for a person with a chronic disease. This credit would
help families pay for healthcare costs such as prescription drugs, in-home care,
and adult day services.
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