Long-Term Care Reform Hearing Focuses on Dual Eligibles, Home-Based Services

by Administrator 5. March 2009 07:56
McKnight's Long-Term Care News - Public and private sector officials convened Wednesday to discuss the important role long-term care reform could play in a grander, overall healthcare reform scheme.

Representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and other nonprofit, university and private healthcare agencies gave their testimony to the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Many of the panelists discussed the need for increased funding for home- and community-based services. There were also calls for changing the way publicly funded healthcare agencies deal with dual-eligible patients-those who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Dual eligibles comprise 18% of the Medicaid population-yet consume 42% of its resources, according to the testimony of Melanie Bella, senior vice president at the Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc. They also account for 24% of Medicaid spending, or $250 billion in fiscal year 2008.

Bella argued that integrated care for dual eligibles is "tantamount to a Holy Grail" of long-term care reform, and that "truly integrated care could significantly improve the lives of beneficiaries and reduce the growth in Medicare and Medicaid costs for taxpayers."

Testimonies, transcripts and witness lists from the hearing can be found at http://www.aging.senate.gov.

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Aging Successfully | Caregiving | Gerontology / Geriatrics | Health & Medical | Social Security / Medicare

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About the Author

John Rothbarth is the owner of the St. Louis Times, a media company focused on serving the informational needs of the St. Louis metro-area aging baby boomer/60+ population. The company publishes the St. Louis Times Resource Guide, St. Louis Times Express, and hosts St. Louis Times Funfest and St. Louis Times Geriatrics Symposium events. The company was founded in 1994 and has remained true to its original mission of 'doing some good for older adults and the professionals who work on their behalf.'

Since 1994 the company has won over 20 National Media Awards. He has participated on many local Boards of Directors, all of whom cater to the needs of our area’s aging population. For 2009 he is also President of Breakthrough Coalition, a consortium of over 250 aging-focused organizations and  professionals dedicated to serving the needs of older adults in the St. Louis / Illinois bi-state area.

John is a native St. Louisan, father of two sons, and graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia with a BS degree in Business Administration. His interests include reading mysteries, jogging, motorcycling, and aviation - he is a pilot with instrument, multi-engine and seaplane ratings.

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