Georgia Department of Community Health’s Post

https://lnkd.in/eQq6sBrR A pretty interesting read, especially now that the final steps of the Medicaid Unwinding process are being completed here in Florida. What are your thoughts?

Today in #DisabilityHistory: On this day in 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicaid and Medicare into law. Within the first 3 years, more than 20 million Americans became insured through these life-saving programs. President Johnson signed these programs into law with President Harry Truman at his side, and during his remarks shared a quote said by President Truman in 1945: "Millions of our citizens do not now have a full measure of opportunity to achieve and to enjoy good health. Millions do not now have protection or security against the economic effects of sickness. And the time has now arrived for action to help them attain that opportunity and to help them get that protection." While Medicaid and Medicare have undeniably saved and improved the lives of countless people with disabilities and chronic conditions, sadly, Truman's quote is still true for far too many disabled people today in 2024. Disability is both a cause and consequence of poverty, and the top cause of bankruptcy in the United States is medical expenses. Our nation's leaders must ensure every American has the economic protection and dignity provided by access to affordable healthcare. Expansion of these programs, as well as funding Home-and Community-Based Services are critical actions. It's time to #DemolishDisabledPoverty once and for all. #DisabilityPrideMonth #PrideInAction #DisabilityRights #Medicaid #Medicare

When we talk about Medicare/Medicaid dual-eligibles, we’re not just talking about older beneficiaries (age 65 and older) – we’re also talking about younger beneficiaries (under age 65) that qualify for Medicare due to a disability. Younger Medicare beneficiaries are more likely than their older counterparts to qualify for Medicaid due to their comparatively low incomes, and they make up a large portion of the dual-eligible population. In fact, they make up 50% of Ignitist’s DSNP customer base! Disabled Americans are underserved and underrepresented, but we are always finding new ways to reach them and connect them to DSNPs that can improve their lives. #WhoWeServe #DoGood #DSNP #DisabilityAwareness KFF – Medicare's Role for People Under Age 65 with Disabilities: https://lnkd.in/eupm6Pjb

Planning for care is essential for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Kentucky’s Medicaid waiver programs play a crucial role in providing the necessary support and services for care planning. HERE’S HOW INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES CAN PREPARE WITH MEDICAID WAIVERS: https://ow.ly/U9SZ50SlXMH #medicaid #kentuckymedicaid #intellectualdisability #developmentaldisability

Ensuring the future is bright and secure for our loved ones with disabilities is a responsibility we cherish. Here are key steps to plan effectively: 1️⃣ Understand Their Needs: Tailor your plan to address specific medical, educational, and daily living requirements. 2️⃣ Special Needs Trusts: Protect their benefits while providing financial support. 3️⃣ Guardianship and Advocacy: Choose trusted individuals who will make decisions in their best interest. 4️⃣ Government Benefits: Stay informed on benefits like SSI and Medicaid. 5️⃣ Future Planning: Regularly update your plan to adapt to changing circumstances. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gpuWmt4K Empower your loved ones with thoughtful and comprehensive planning. 💙✨ #SpecialNeedsPlanning #DisabilitySupport #FutureSecurity #FamilyFirst #InclusivePlanning

Improved data from Medicare Advantage and Medicaid could benefit researchers trying to improve local elder care on a geographic basis in the U.S. Nils Franco and Joanne Lynn know such data is crucial to improving eldercare in specific communities, and shaping governmental programs as well. Excellent piece on how and why in #GenerationsJournal: https://lnkd.in/gURj9UY6

ATTENTION !!! ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ ⭐ ⬇ NJACP Members are encouraged to respond to the call for action below from ANCOR. This electronic call for action only takes two minutes and supports a bill just introduced by Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey to extend the pandemic era FMAP increases supporting IDD services and supports. Please make your support for additional IDD funding known to your lawmakers! Thank you for all time and effort to bring attention to the legislation.We are writing to urge you to take action in support of a vital piece of legislation—the HCBS Relief Act of 2023. This act has the power to protect and enhance the transformative work that providers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). • The HCBS Relief Act: What You Need to Know The HCBS Relief Act of 2023 is vital for individuals with I/DD. In particular, it extends much-needed support for the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services program authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The bill would provide a 10-percentage-point increase in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for home and community-based services during 2024 and 2025, enabling states and providers to strengthen the direct support workforce and ensure better access to I/DD services. • Please Tell Your Members of Congress to Strengthen HCBS! You have the option to send a pre-written message, add to it or type your own message! It only takes two minutes! https://lnkd.in/e-Vgdk-A

Ensuring the future is bright and secure for our loved ones with disabilities is a responsibility we cherish. Here are key steps to plan effectively: 1️⃣ Understand Their Needs: Tailor your plan to address specific medical, educational, and daily living requirements. 2️⃣ Special Needs Trusts: Protect their benefits while providing financial support. 3️⃣ Guardianship and Advocacy: Choose trusted individuals who will make decisions in their best interest. 4️⃣ Government Benefits: Stay informed on benefits like SSI and Medicaid. 5️⃣ Future Planning: Regularly update your plan to adapt to changing circumstances. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gxTFRTzn Empower your loved ones with thoughtful and comprehensive planning. 💙✨ #SpecialNeedsPlanning #DisabilitySupport #FutureSecurity #FamilyFirst #InclusivePlanning

QALY (quality-adjusted life years) as a metric has its value in justifying care, though as a father of several adopted children with disabilities I can understand what this Representative from WA is getting at: https://lnkd.in/e--KEVrw.

⚖ Everyone deserves equal access to health care, but many aren't getting it and they may not even be aware they are being denied. The use of quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) measures by payers, including the federal government, have led to the withholding of treatments for seniors, patients with chronic conditions or people with disabilities, because their lives are valued less than a healthy person. Therefore, covering certain treatments for these populations is deemed unaffordable. While I understand the need to balance costs in our health system, this is wrong. It's discriminatory to vulnerable patient populations. 🏛 Next week, the House is looking to fix this. H.R. 485 will extend the prohibition on QALYS and other similar measures that currently exists in Medicare (passed as part of the ACA) to all federal health programs. But, some Democrats are undermining this important legislation (even though they voted for the same policy in the ACA and IRA) with arguments that have absolutely no standing, especially one. ❌ H.R. 485 obstructs Medicare Drug Price Negotiations. ❌ False. Medicare is already subject to the ACA's existing bar on Medicare's use of QALYs and similar measures. The IRA went even further to bar the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program from using evidence from comparative clinical effectiveness research "in a manner that treats extending the life of an elderly, disabled, or terminally ill individuals as of lower value than extending the life of an individual who is younger, non-disabled, or not terminally ill." And, late last year, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) further confirmed that there is no implication to the program in their official score. 📣 It's time to support this vital legislation to ensure everyone has equal access to lifesaving treatments and cures. #congress #disability #disabilityrights #health #healthcare #healthpolicy #equalaccess