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The #COVID19 relief bill language was released today along with the annual federal spending package. Here's a summary of what's there & not there for low-income older adults:
-$600 in stimulus payments - infuriatingly excludes adults who are claimed as dependents.
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-$600 in stimulus payments - infuriatingly excludes adults who are claimed as dependents.
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-renewed federal unemployment of $300/wk that expired in July
-CDC eviction moratorium extended to 1/31/21
-15% increase in SNAP benefits & funding for nutrition asst in Puerto Rico and other territories
-$69B for vaccine distribution, testing, and tracing
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-CDC eviction moratorium extended to 1/31/21
-15% increase in SNAP benefits & funding for nutrition asst in Puerto Rico and other territories
-$69B for vaccine distribution, testing, and tracing
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-3.2B to increase access to broadband including for telehealth
-$10M to @ACLgov to address abuse, neglect, & exploitation of older adults, including APS and the long-term care ombuds
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-$10M to @ACLgov to address abuse, neglect, & exploitation of older adults, including APS and the long-term care ombuds
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What's NOT in there
-No increased Medicaid funding. And no increase for home-and community based services or addressing issues in nursing facilities & other congregate settings.
- No additional state or local aid
- Thankfully, no liability shield for nursing homes or corps.
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-No increased Medicaid funding. And no increase for home-and community based services or addressing issues in nursing facilities & other congregate settings.
- No additional state or local aid
- Thankfully, no liability shield for nursing homes or corps.
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Some good news from the 2021 federal spending bill:
-Money Follows the Person extended for 3 years to 2023 & reduces stay from 90 days to 60 to be eligible
-Spousal impoverishment protections extended 3 years to 2023 increasing access to #HCBS
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-Money Follows the Person extended for 3 years to 2023 & reduces stay from 90 days to 60 to be eligible
-Spousal impoverishment protections extended 3 years to 2023 increasing access to #HCBS
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Cont. good news
-A much needed fix to end surprise medical billing
-removal of barriers to colorectal cancer screenings
-permanent reduction of the medical expense threshold
-& increased funding from 2020 for many programs including the @LSCtweets for critical legal services.
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-A much needed fix to end surprise medical billing
-removal of barriers to colorectal cancer screenings
-permanent reduction of the medical expense threshold
-& increased funding from 2020 for many programs including the @LSCtweets for critical legal services.
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While there are certainly some things to cheer about in the combined package, some of the most needed relief for older adults & people w/ disabilities was stripped from the relief package & needs to be the top priority in 2021. #Equity #HCBS #WhatWeNeed #CareEconomy
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Missed a huge positive policy change in the spending package that closes the Medicare initial and general enrollment coverage gaps. #BENESAct cc: @medicarerights
