Medicaid Coverage to Be Expanded for Certain Seniors Under New Bill
A new bill introduced in the House of Representatives aims to expand Medicaid coverage to include assisted living services for low-income seniors who would otherwise qualify for nursing home or hospital-level care. The proposal, led by Representative Max Miller of Ohio, would make assisted living a mandatory Medicaid benefit if costs do not exceed those of institutional care. The legislation also encourages affordable housing developments that incorporate supportive services to reduce long-term Medicaid expenditures.
- ▪The bill would require state Medicaid programs to cover assisted living services for eligible individuals if costs do not exceed those of nursing facilities or hospitals.
- ▪Coverage would apply to low-income seniors who meet Medicaid financial criteria and qualify for hospital or nursing home care.
- ▪Assisted living services would become a mandatory Medicaid benefit under the proposal, requiring state compliance.
- ▪The legislation incentivizes state housing agencies to prioritize affordable housing developments with supportive services for older adults starting in 2027.
- ▪Approximately 17 percent of the roughly 1 million people in assisted living facilities in the U.S. are currently Medicaid beneficiaries.
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By Aliss HighamUS News ReporterShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.A newly proposed measure in the House of Representatives seeks to broaden Medicaid to cover certain services provided in assisted living settings for some low-income older adults, potentially enabling more seniors to receive care outside traditional nursing homes.Introduced by Republican Representative Max Miller of Ohio, the bill would require state Medicaid programs to cover assisted living services for eligible individuals, provided the cost does not exceed that of care in a hospital or nursing facility.
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