NSCLC advocates for more home and community based services as an alternative to nursing home or other forms of institutionalization for low-income older adults. We seek to ensure that the Affordable Care Act provisions related to long term services and supports are implemented and that states take up new options to expand their availability.
A new advocates’ guide entitled Identifying and Selecting Long-Term Services and Supports Outcome Measures, has been prepared by the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) and NSCLC. The guide focuses on outcome measures based on individual experience, as a beneficiary’s experiences are the best starting point for judging whether systems are performing well. The guide discusses existing and in-development quality measures, presents criteria for selection of LTSS outcome measures, suggests methods for building LTSS knowledge and infrastructure, and sets forth action steps for advocates.
An advocates guide to Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports 101: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges offers advocates a primer on the law that impacts Medicaid-funded HCBS. It also explains the different programs states can use to provide HCBS, including those created by the ACA. The guide highlights key resources and tools to use when advocating to expand and preserve Medicaid coverage of crucial LTSS services in individual states. In September 2012, NSCLC also offered a webinar on the topic.
We also educate and counsel advocates on consumer protection and legal issues related to assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
