The Buzz

Building on the opportunity for further coordination and greater impact to address racial and ethnic disparities, our United for Health Equity in Aging Summit convened the aging and disability sectors with the racial equity and social justice movements for a day of informative panels and energizing dialogue.

The TSF event was rooted in the lived experience of older adults from marginalized communities and we were honored to have several of them join us in person.

Materials from the Summit, including older adult video stories and a photo gallery are now available, as well as a full livestream recording. Take a look!

For decades, states have been working to integrate care to improve access to high-quality care for people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, but progress is limited. Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) can support a process by which states can navigate the infrastructure and political constraints that have historically prevented states from advancing Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts.

In a new Health Affairs blog, TSF explores how an MPA can help states navigate barriers to advancing integrated, high-quality health care.

TSF champions Multisector Plans for Aging (MPA) in California, as well as at the regional and local levels. See the latest.

STATE

• As the state’s MPA implementation advances, the Little Hoover Commission is reviewing efforts to ensure accountability and progress toward MPA goals. TSF President and CEO Sarita A. Mohanty recently testified before the Commission to highlight successes and continued priorities. Read her testimony and watch the recording. A second hearing is scheduled for August 24 at 9:30 am PT.

LOCAL

• We launched a two-year rural MPA initiative, funding three members of the California Advocacy Network to develop local MPAs. Early findings from this work were highlighted in Generations, a publication of the American Society on Aging.
• Visit California’s Data Dashboard for Aging for a map of age-friendly communities reporting activity around developing local MPAs.

By asking individuals with complex care needs “what matters most?” person-centered outcome (PCO) measures drive care that aligns with people’s personal health goals, and encourage organizations throughout the care continuum to work together in an integrated manner.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) convened multidisciplinary experts to review the current landscape of goal attainment scaling methodology and identify best practices for implementing the method with diverse audiences. The learnings from these convenings contributed to the following:

1. Advancing Best Practices for Goal Attainment Scaling (white paper)
2. Using Goal Attainment Scaling (online training module)

These resources can help health care delivery systems and other entities start documenting what matters most to an individual in a structured way.

Finally, a session at NCQA’s Health Innovation Summit will focus on current efforts to test the PCO measures (October 25, 2:50 pm ET). Register today.

Bringing awareness to aging and equity issues, our partnership with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program advances unique reporting. A recent piece in The Washington Post examines states’ actions to train paid caregivers in an effort to better care for our growing aging population.

The latest report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality examines opportunities for developing a person-centered care system and integrating the voices of older adults, caregivers, and communities to design effective models of care for improving older adults’ health and well-being. View the spring roundtable report.

Health disparities among older adults are further exacerbated for individuals from historically marginalized communities. Efforts to address racial and ethnic disparities in aging exist, but there is an opportunity for further coordination and greater impact.

Last week, we held our inaugural United for Health Equity in Aging Summit, convening the aging and disability sectors with the racial equity and social justice movements. Panels were informative, conversations were energizing, and the stories shared by older adults throughout the day grounded us.

We’re still reflecting! Materials and next steps from the meeting will be shared in the coming weeks. Until then, learn about the Advancing Health Equity in Aging initiative and meet individuals from the movement.

TSF Director of Strategic Initiatives Natalie King discussed the unique needs and challenges of our aging population with Unite Us, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration and technology in developing comprehensive and effective solutions.

King conveyed the importance of elevating the voices of older people of color, older adults with lower incomes, and older residents of geographically underserved areas. She also brought to light some data and technology inequities experienced by older adults. View the recording.

“In 10 years, 1 out of every 4 New Yorkers will be over age 60,” said Adam Herbst, deputy commissioner for the Health Department’s Office of Aging and Long Term Care. “What that means is a tremendous shift in everything,” he said, “our communities, our economy, our budget, how we value our families, so many significant things.” …

“We started with small things, like putting benches near grocery stores and possibly giving the aging places to sit inside the store to rest, and slowing the time for crosswalk signals on some streets,” said architect Edward Mills, who served on the Age-Friendly New York City Commission …

Read more from a WAMC Northeast Public Radio piece about New York’s efforts to develop their Master Plan for Aging (MPA). This journalism was supported by our partnership with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program. Also, learn more about MPA activities across the country.

Ten states — Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington State — have been selected to participate in the next Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA) Learning Collaborative.

Led by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) and made possible through support from TSF, West Health, and the May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, the learning community is helping states advance planning efforts to support the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers across the nation. Learn more.

A recent webcast from innovation-focused Future Proof unpacks what an Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA) is, what it looks like at different stages, and how it can be valuable to a variety of communities and priorities. The episode, made possible by the American Society on Aging (ASA), also explores applying an aging and disability lens and going beyond traditional health and community services to build a movement.

• Don’t miss today’s 10 am Future Proof Live on cross-sector planning for aging at the local and state levels.

Also, check out the latest ASA blog post on supporting local MPAs in rural communities.

A resource guide published by USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute, the Partnership to Align Social Care, and the Camden Coalition lists five reasons why health plans should work with community-based organizations (CBOs) and uses case examples from real-life partnerships.

Read Partnerships with Community-based Organizations: Opportunities for Health Plans to Create Value.

Last year The SCAN Foundation joined in the celebration of Juneteenth, recognizing its profound importance for Black people in the United States. We are committed to centering the experiences of older Black adults and all people of color – elevating their voices and perspectives as we pursue equity and transformative systems change.

We’ve continued our evolution as an organization – finalizing a strategic plan that prioritizes efforts to improve the lives of people from Black communities and all older people of color. We’ve launched our first public expression of this goal with our Advancing Health Equity in Aging initiative.

Although important health equity conversations are being had, aging is often overlooked. The initiative aims to reduce health inequities and improve the lives of older adults from historically marginalized communities. Launched in October 2022, we are harmonizing efforts by activating and sustaining a diverse, cross-sector network of leaders and accelerators – Equity Community Organizing (ECO) Groups – to develop and design solutions targeting the specific drivers of poor health outcomes. Simultaneously, we’re dedicated to engaging those with lived experience at each phase of the work.

As a philanthropic organization, we recognize the privilege we carry and its ability to effect change. Although we’ve asserted ourselves in past efforts, this initiative is different as it has been built from the ground up. We recognize that power must be shared with community, and that community is more than capable of explaining what it needs and identifying levers to improve health and well-being.

This Juneteenth, we honor Black older adults; we are listening to community; and we are honing our plans for long overdue efforts. We hope you’ll follow the work.

Although recent data from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston shows that U.S. adults, age 50+, feel their care preferences are being considered more often, stark racial and socioeconomic inequities persist. That’s the main finding of a comprehensive look at care preferences from 2014-20, funded by The SCAN Foundation.

The analyses reveal that race, income, and geography highly influence people’s care experiences. Read the related press release.

The “forgotten middle” represents more than 11 million older adults who will need health care and housing in the next 10 years but won’t qualify for Medicaid to help alleviate increasing costs.

Last month, we hosted a virtual briefing on the urgent need for action. Sarita A. Mohanty, President and CEO of The SCAN Foundation, and Caroline Pearson, Executive Director at the Peterson Center on Healthcare, discussed the intersections of housing insecurity, health care access and affordability, and community services. Watch the recording.

Earlier this year, The SCAN Foundation’s Vice President of Policy Narda Ipakchi joined seven other U.S. leaders and met with peers in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore to learn about innovative global efforts to advance health care delivery and equity.

How can we translate these insights and get more creative within our U.S. system? A recent piece about the trip is a New York Times guest essay by trip participant Aaron E. Carroll, MD, MS, Chief Health Officer of Indiana University.

The California Department of Health Care Services Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration recently released the second in a series of chartbooks developed with ATI Advisory. Each resource provides information on the demographics, needs, and health care experiences of California’s Medicare beneficiary population.

Developing programs and services that are culturally and linguistically responsive is critical to addressing disparities and improving the care experience. Cultural and Linguistic Demographics of the California Medicare Population includes information about language and birthplace demographics. Also, read the prior chartbook, an overview of the state’s Medicare beneficiaries.

We partner with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program (IRP) to elevate innovative programs for older adults. Two recent articles share local activities that help older adults connect to their communities and could be replicated across the nation.

• An Atlanta-based collaborative is equipping Black churches with funding and support to make services more welcoming for people living with dementia and their families.
• Intergenerational programs in Connecticut and Ohio are helping older adults care for and retain their pets.

Review past articles in the IRP series.

The majority of older adults want to remain in their own homes and communities as they age, and home- and community-based care tends to be more cost-effective than institutional alternatives. Estimates indicate that gradually shifting Medicaid spending from institutional services to home- and community-based care, a process known as rebalancing, can reduce state costs by about 15 percent over 10 years.

The federal American Rescue Plan Act temporarily increased funding states could use to improve Medicaid home- and community-based services, known as HCBS. States have through March 31, 2025, to use the funding for a variety of HCBS services.

Learn more from the National Conference of State Legislatures, and watch a related webinar.

In a recent article for Today’s Geriatric Medicine, TSF President and CEO Sarita A. Mohanty, MD, MPH, MBA, discussed barriers to aging well at home and in community, and potential solutions to make it more of a reality. It starts with a person having conversations with their families and friends as well as doctors about one’s “aging goals.”

“This includes asking questions about [a person’s] future preferences and reiterating the need to plan how their needs will be met and how they will be paid for,” Dr. Mohanty said. “While helping every patient age in place is not the job of every physician, advocating for one’s patients is. Physicians and the organizations they work for can influence systems change and advocate for access to services for their older adult patients. …”

The “forgotten middle” represents more than 11 million older adults who will need health care and housing in the next 10 years but won’t qualify for Medicaid to help alleviate increasing costs. We’re hosting a virtual briefing on May 11 to discuss the urgent need for action.

Join Dr. Sarita A. Mohanty, President and CEO of The SCAN Foundation, and Caroline Pearson, Executive Director at the Peterson Center on Healthcare, to provide insights on how the intersections of housing insecurity, health care access and affordability, and available community services affect older adults.

Register for the May 11 webinar today.

In a recent article for Today’s Geriatric Medicine, TSF President and CEO Sarita A. Mohanty, MD, MPH, MBA, discussed barriers to aging in place and potential solutions to make aging well more of a reality. It starts with a person having conversations with their families and friends as well as doctors about one’s “aging goals.”

“This includes asking questions about [a person’s] future preferences and reiterating the need to plan how their needs will be met and how they will be paid for,” Dr. Mohanty said. “While helping every patient age in place is not the job of every physician, advocating for one’s patients is. Physicians and the organizations they work for can influence systems change and advocate for access to services for their older adult patients. …”

Health disparities among older adults abound and are further exacerbated for individuals from historically marginalized communities. Efforts to address racial and ethnic disparities in aging exist, but there is an opportunity for further cohesion, expedition, and greater impact.

Launched in October 2022 and dedicated to engaging people with lived experience, the Advancing Health Equity in Aging initiative seeks to convene, organize, and harmonize efforts by sustaining a diverse, cross-sector network to develop and design solutions targeting the specific drivers of poor health outcomes. See who’s on our Steering Committee and learn more.

TSF is hiring a senior policy analyst. If you or someone you know has a passion for transforming systems to better serve older adults and people with disabilities and has professional experience with state aging, health, and long-term care policies, take a look at our latest recent job posting.

During the pandemic, the Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL) evolved their strategies to maximize programs’ impact on community members. Learn how the Regional Coalition is thinking about the future.

CCCIL is part of the California Advocacy Network, a statewide movement involving nearly 1,000 organizations who serve more than 95 percent of California’s population.

• Education is key to San Diego Senior Alliance’s aging initiative.
• Community needs are at the heart of Marin County Aging Action Initiative’s advocacy efforts.

The Aging and Disability Business Institute at USAging is now accepting nominations for The John A. Hartford Foundation 2023 Business Innovation Award. The deadline for nominations is May 5.

The John A. Hartford Foundation 2023 Business Innovation Award recognizes aging and disability community-based organizations (CBOs) for their innovative approaches to reducing health care costs and improving the well-being of older adults and people with disabilities through contracts and strategic partnerships with health care entities. The goal is to scale these types of partnerships nationwide. Apply today.

Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) can serve as blueprints for committing to a vision and implementing a world where all people are fully valued, recognized, and engaged at all ages. A recent Grantmakers In Aging brief examines the fundamentals of the MPA movement and discusses how funders can get involved and help advance the work.

California is transforming the Medi-Cal program to be more coordinated and person-centered through the California Advancing and​ Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) program. For beneficiaries who qualify, managed care plans will offer enhanced care management and various community supports through community-based organizations (CBOs).

To help CBOs build capacity to partner with health plans and participate in the new system, the state is offering Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) — Capacity and Infrastructure Transition, Expansion and Development (CITED) grants. Register for the April 27 webinar to learn about the grants and prepare for the future. (Sponsored by TSF and the Archstone Foundation)

Earlier this year, Senior Services Coalition of Alameda County convened local stakeholders for a virtual conference, Making the Difference: Striving for Equity at the Intersection of Health, Housing and Aging in the Community. Event presentations, conference materials, and recordings of the sessions are now available on the Coalition’s website.

Through community health needs assessments, hospitals work with the community to identify unmet needs and then implement a plan to prioritize and address them. Nonprofit hospitals often fund some or most of this work using community benefit dollars. Join USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute (ADBI) this Friday for an overview of this process, why it is important, and how community-based organizations can partner with hospitals to drive more equitable health outcomes.

There is a lack of geriatric-prepared providers in rural areas where older adults live. A study of Pennsylvania’s largest federally qualified health center found that using the Project ECHO model to train rural providers on the 4Ms Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework demonstrated successful process outcomes.

TSF and our grantees are headed to Atlanta for the annual conference of the American Society on Aging (ASA). Check out where you can find us and register for On Aging 2023.

• Join TSF Vice President of Programs, Equity, and Community Impact Rigo Saborio and a distinguished set of speakers for a preconference workshop to unpack how a state can start and build momentum for a Multisector Plan for Aging. Hear strategies for building cross-agency collaboration and centering equity, learn how to engage diverse stakeholders, get guidance on tracking data and measuring success, and find out lessons learned from other states. (March 27)
• Why a Multisector Plan for Aging? States Share Their Unique Approaches and Tools. In this session, leaders from three states that are participating in an Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA) Learning Collaborative will describe where they are in their development process as well as their unique strategies for MPA development. This includes cross-sector planning and broad consumer and stakeholder engagement, using data, messaging, and more. (March 28)
• Building Partnerships to Deliver Medicare Advantage Nonmedical Benefits. Megan Burke, TSF Program Officer for Policy and Advocacy, will provide opening remarks during this session designed to present the latest trends in nonmedical benefits and illustrate the value and scope of innovative, collaborative partnerships to best deliver the benefits in a person-centered, tailored way within diverse communities across the country. (March 30)

Four years into implementation, nearly 40 percent of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are offering either expanded primarily health-related benefits (EPHRB) or Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) to help beneficiaries meet goals for independence. The latest report produced by ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) examines the growth of three specific benefits: in-home support services, caregiver supports, and social needs.

Watch a recording complementing the report featuring opening remarks from TSF Vice President of Policy Narda Ipakchi.

Our partnership with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program supports reporting on issues affecting the lives of older adults living at home and in community. A recent piece in The Sacramento Bee and affiliated publications explores reasons why nearly 1.5 million eligible older adults in California aren’t taking advantage of the state food stamp program.

Last week, the Alliance for Health Policy held a webinar to discuss telehealth policy and other considerations for using the public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities to improve person-centered, equitable care for adults. Watch the recording, as well as access the transcript and presentation.

The related PHE Flexibilities Roadmap for Policymakers resources supported by TSF and released earlier this year provide concrete and consensus-driven recommendations to federal and state policymakers on which temporary Medicare and Medicaid flexibilities should be made permanent.

This month, Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) interviewed Rigo J. Saborio, TSF’s Vice President of Programs, Equity, and Community Impact. Recently elected to GIA’s Board of Directors, Rigo shared some insights on his professional journey and more.

Join Alliance for Health Policy this Friday for a webinar: Moving Beyond COVID-19: Considerations for Using PHE Flexibilities to Improve Person-Centered Care. The event will feature TSF leadership and a diverse panel of experts to discuss considerations for using the public health emergence (PHE) flexibilities to improve person-centered, equitable care for older adults.

This webinar further unpacks the PHE Flexibilities Roadmap for Policymakers resources supported by TSF and released earlier this year. The Roadmap provides concrete and consensus-driven recommendations to federal and state policymakers on which temporary Medicare and Medicaid flexibilities should be made permanent. View the related media advisory.

The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago conducted a 2022 survey on the health care needs and experiences of Californians age 55 and older. Our new fact sheets distill findings as they relate to care coordination, mental health, income disparities, and caregiving.

Learn about our initiative to influence access and care delivery and coordinate medical and nonmedical services in support of community living.

How are Medicare Advantage (MA) plans structuring and delivering nonmedical supplemental benefits to meaningfully meet members’ needs? The Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) and ATI Advisory conducted an analysis of three nonmedical benefits: in-home support services (IHSS), caregiver supports, and social needs. Join them for a webinar to learn about the findings.

A Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA) is an umbrella term for a state-led, multiyear planning process that convenes cross-sector stakeholders to address the needs of older adults and people with disabilities.

A Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) blog from Kim McCoy Wade – Senior Advisor on Aging, Disability and Alzheimer’s for the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom – offers advice to states that are beginning the journey. Also, watch a recent Future Proof Live episode all about MPAs.

TSF’s Anika S. Heavener, Vice President of Innovation and Investments, spoke with Silver Solutions CEO Dan Lagani for the Age Wise podcast on the challenges facing aging populations and TSF’s priorities and hopes in 2023. Watch the episode.

The complex care evidence base is growing, yet meaningful patient involvement in the research is lacking. As a result, researchers often measure “success” as defined by health systems and plans, typically based on reduced utilization and costs.

The Better Care Playbook engaged a social justice, community, and behavioral health advocate to discuss the value of involving people with lived experience in the research process.

Governor Newsom’s 2023-24 proposed budget focuses on housing, workforce issues, economic security, and other initiatives that impact older adults and people with disabilities. Learn how the proposed budget maintains key investments in the state’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA).

Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions and daily living challenges struggle to navigate a complex care system. Our page on Innovating for Medicare Beneficiaries outlines how states can improve equitable access to high-quality care and services for their Medicare populations. In California, learn how one woman supports the Medicare-eligible.

By the end of the decade, all baby boomers will be age 65 and older. Recognizing this shift and the variety of factors that affect the aging experience, state policymakers have engaged numerous programs to help older adults thrive.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) highlights progress across the country, including those states already implementing Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) or participating in the Multisector Plan for Aging Learning Collaborative.

Supported by TSF, a group of expert stakeholders with diverse perspectives met over several months to assess COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) flexibilities. Resources on the webpage PHE Flexibilities Roadmap for Policymakers provide concrete and consensus-driven recommendations to federal and state policymakers on which temporary Medicare and Medicaid flexibilities should be made permanent to increase access to equitable, person-centered care for older adults. View the Roadmap and media advisory.

Among the flexibilities that experts found should be made permanent are those that:

• Expand telehealth benefits to ensure equitable access to remote care;
• Maximize clinician scope of practice to expand the workforce available to care for older adults; and
• Ease Medicare and Medicaid program requirements to enable more individuals to qualify to get the care they need.

Join Alliance for Health Policy on Friday, March 3, at 9 am PT for a webinar: Moving Beyond COVID-19: Considerations for Using PHE Flexibilities to Improve Person-Centered Care. The event will feature TSF leadership and a diverse panel of experts to discuss considerations for using the PHE flexibilities to improve person-centered, equitable care for older adults.

Throughout the pandemic, research showed the potential for PHE flexibilities to minimize administrative, clinical, and financial barriers while significantly advancing person-centered, equitable care.

The Roadmap was developed following formative efforts. This included a 2022 issue brief and policymaker playbook that examined the benefits and risks of PHE flexibilities, described a person-centered assessment framework, and offered recommendations for flexibilities that could be considered for permanence.

Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions and daily living challenges struggle to navigate a complex system of care. Innovating for Medicare Beneficiaries outlines ways states can improve equitable access to high-quality care and services for this population. In California, a survey conducted by The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago highlights the health care needs and experiences of adults age 55 and older. Also, view an ATI Advisory profile of California’s Medicare population.

A recent study in the Better Care Playbook found that Medicare beneficiaries with complex needs who were enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans had lower rates of acute care utilization than those in traditional Medicare.

In our latest Regional Coalition feature story, San Diego Senior Alliance (SDSA) recounts a year of hard work and progress. SDSA is part of the California Advocacy Network, a statewide movement involving nearly 1,000 organizations who serve more than 95 percent of California’s population. Explore the Regional Coalition profiles.

An Investigative Reporting Program article, originally published in The Washington Post, highlights examples of a changing villages movement—one that is building upon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles, and considering past and current barriers for people of color and diverse communities as it works to expand membership and help more people age in place.

Join the California Collaborative for Long-Term Services and Supports on Tuesday, December 13, at 12 pm PT to learn about the steps Regional Coalitions are taking to develop local Master Plans for Aging (MPAs) in rural communities. The webinar will focus on how to form an advisory committee, build on existing data, gather community input, and plan for implementation and sustainability.

A new brief from ATI Advisory offers data insights on 2023 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offering the five expanded primarily health-related benefits (EPHRB). The brief includes information on where plans are offering EPHRB and an overview across both MA special needs plans (SNPs) and non-SNP MA organizations. This is part of ATI’s broader effort to track nonmedical supplemental benefits and builds on their recent chartbook.

Bringing awareness to issues affecting the lives of community-dwelling older adults, our partnership with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program inspires unique reporting opportunities. A recent article published by climate justice site Grist elevated an intergenerational housing story in France as an example of how to protect older adults during heat waves.

Learn about the advocacy efforts at Marin County Aging Action Initiative (AAI) in our inaugural Regional Coalition feature story. AAI is part of the California Advocacy Network, a statewide movement involving nearly 1,000 organizations who serve more than 95 percent of California’s population. Explore the Regional Coalition profiles.

A new brief from AARP Public Policy Institute presents the vision and framework for the 2023 Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) State Scorecard. The brief discusses AARP’s approach to the 2023 edition of the Scorecard, reflects on changes since the Scorecard was first published in 2011, and considers how future editions may best meet today’s needs.

Watch a recent Insure the Uninsured Project (ITUP) discussion on services and supports offered to California’s older adult population and dual eligible beneficiaries and how these services align with the Master Plan for Aging.

A brief from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) highlights current federal initiatives for integrating payment and delivery of services for dually eligible beneficiaries and opportunities for future integration efforts.

A new Insure the Uninsured Project (ITUP) resource shares facts about California’s older adult population and steps the state is taking to advance health and transform aging.

Join the related ITUP webinar tomorrow, October 27, at 1 pm PT for a discussion on new services and supports offered to California’s older adult population and dual eligible beneficiaries, and how these services align with the Master Plan for Aging.

CA for ALL Ages & Abilities Day of Action brought together nearly 900 participants (in-person and virtual) representing advocates, providers, policymakers, and more. This event – supported in partnership with Archstone Foundation, Gary and Mary West Foundation, May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, Metta Fund, San Diego Foundation, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, and The SCAN Foundation – provided opportunities for stakeholders to hear and recommend key priorities of focus for the next two years.

The themes of equity and partnership were woven throughout the day and centered on continuing momentum for advancing the Master Plan for Aging(MPA). Access event recordings and materials and read Dr. Sarita Mohanty’s reflections on the day.

In a competitive bid, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) selected Medicaid agencies in eight states — Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington State, and Wisconsin — to participate in Medicare Academy: Capacity-Building for Advancing Medicare-Medicaid Integration. The Academy will help the states develop and oversee integration programs and engage in longer-term policy and program refinement.

Join Insure the Uninsured Project (ITUP) on Thursday, October 27, at 1 pm PT for a discussion on new services and supports offered to California’s older adult population and dual eligible beneficiaries, and how these services align with the Master Plan for Aging.

An Investigative Reporting Program article, originally published in The San Francisco Chronicle last month, takes a deeper look at many older adults’ inadequate access to home- and community-based services and affordable housing.

A recent Health Affairs blog highlights cutting-edge efforts by the California Department of Health Care Services’ Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration (OMII). OMII sits within the state’s Medicaid agency and is tasked with expanding the health and human service focus beyond Medicaid to improve health outcomes, quality, affordability, and equity for all Medicare beneficiaries in California, including those that are dually eligible.

ADvancing States and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) home- and community-based (HCBS) Technical Assistance Collective announced a third phase of technical assistance (TA) to state Medicaid programs to facilitate and expedite state implementation of the ARPA HCBS Funding Initiative. This is the largest investment in HCBS systems capacity in 40 years. Interested states must complete the online application by October 25.

Recent analyses by NORC at the University of Chicago explored the financial challenges likely faced by middle-income older adults in California and nationally by 2033. Watch the related California-focused discussion that builds on NORC’s findings. Also, read our fact sheet, highlighting key investments within the California state budget.

More than one-third of older adults worry about paying for health care and long-term care. Middle-income older adults, coined the “forgotten middle,” are in the particularly precarious position of being ineligible for Medicaid assistance, yet still have difficulty affording out-of-pocket costs.

A new analysis from NORC at the University of Chicago looks at California’s middle-income, older adult population and forecasts that the state will have 1.6 million middle-income older adults (age 75 and older) in 2033, nearly half of which will be people of color. Findings show that half will struggle to pay for housing and care, even if those who own sell their homes.

Earlier this week, TSF, West Health, Insure the Uninsured Project (ITUP), and expert guests discussed the challenges facing older Californians, the relationship of these findings to longstanding inequities, and potential policy opportunities. View the recording.

We partner with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program to elevate issues affecting the lives of older adults. A recent CapRadio piece examined California’s affordable housing shortage through the lens of LGBTQ older adults.

Join TSF, along with West Health and Insure the Uninsured Project (ITUP), to explore the demographic characteristics of California’s middle-income older adults and future challenges regarding health care and long-term care affordability. Register here.

The webinar will offer a local perspective that builds on the recent national findings from NORC at the University of Chicago. That research projected more than 11 million middle-income older adults may have insufficient resources to pay for long-term care and housing by 2033.

In a recent request for information, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sought feedback to strengthen Medicare Advantage and advance health equity. Drawing on years of research, ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) shared how CMS can strengthen supplemental benefits to advance health equity and better support Medicare beneficiaries.

The latest podcast from the National Committee for Quality Assurance explores person-centered outcome measures and what could be a revolutionary reorientation of the traditional doctor-patient relationship.

Our latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll indicates that most U.S. adults think private health insurers (60%) and Medicare (57%) should have a large responsibility for paying for the costs of long-term care, and about half think the same about Medicaid (53%).

Also, majorities of Black and Hispanic adults are very or extremely concerned about having access to high-quality health care when they need it. Read the press release and article.

California’s 2022-23 enacted budget addresses longstanding system challenges for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. Read our fact sheet to learn about key investments, including the continued investment for implementing the Master Plan for Aging.

Older adults thrive in settings best suited to their individual needs. A new report from the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution highlights steps toward a system of care and supports that reflect the preferences and life goals of older adults. These include creating a constellation of care settings with adaptable and viable business models so that preferred options are available as people age, and ensuring there are enough direct and family caregivers.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) included one-time funding for states to expand and enhance home and community-based services (HCBS) including modernizing infrastructure and expanding benefits. ADvancing States released two related papers on ARPA initiatives: one on increasing wages and career opportunities for direct service workers and another on expanding access to enabling technology.

New findings from NORC at the University of Chicago indicate that more than 11 million middle-income older adults – coined the “forgotten middle” – may have insufficient resources to pay for long-term care and housing by 2033. According to the research, the numbers of middle-income older adults will almost double over the next decade, and the population will be more racially and ethnically diverse. Read the press release.

The Better Care Playbook provides evidence-based research and promising practices for improving complex care. Learn how Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are successfully contracting with health care entities to provide care coordination, evidence-based programming, nutrition, and other services to improve outcomes for older adults.

UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program shares the challenges experienced by older adults living in community and encourages dialogue around potential solutions. In a video published by The San Francisco Standard, the reporter examines the affordable housing crisis in the Bay Area.

Purchaser Business Group on Health, in partnership with the Integrated Health Care Association, evaluated provider performance across several risk types using a variety of clinical person-centered measures. They discovered “full risk” provider groups, those with more flexibility in population management, slightly outperform those provider groups with “partial risk” in achieving person-centered care.

The Center for Health Care Strategies is seeking states to participate in the Medicare Academy: Capacity-Building for Advancing Medicare-Medicaid Integration. The 10-month training program is designed to help Medicaid staff build the Medicare knowledge needed to successfully advance integration efforts. Applications are due September 9.

The California Advocacy Network is a statewide movement involving nearly 1,000 organizations who serve more than 95 percent of California’s population. We’ve updated the profiles for each Regional Coalition to reflect their efforts to advance health care and supportive services, as well as support the Master Plan for Aging at the community level.

We partner with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program to build awareness on aging and elevate how a variety of issues affect the lives of older adults. A recent Inside Climate News feature shares how a pilot program in California is helping communities with older adults prepare for wildfires and other climate disasters by training in-home caregivers.

The Better Care Playbook offers insight on programs and case manager supports for adults who want to age in place. Learn how organizations are implementing innovative complex care initiatives, improving care coordination through patient navigation, and defining successful case management.

The Master Plan for Aging (MPA) Learning Collaborative facilitated by Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is a multistate learning community set out to help states advance their MPAs. The learning collaborative is supporting 10 states: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Vermont. Learn what is essential to a successful MPA, the unexpected benefits, and how to get started.

Hear about the experience and impact of complex care directly from individuals, providers, and payers in videos developed by The National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs and Center for Health Care Strategies. Also, learn how to talk about complex care through a related messaging guide and recorded webinar.

Together Medicare and Medicaid have the potential to enhance the care experience, improve outcomes, and reduce costs. The Center for Health Care Strategies’ resource center can help states grow their knowledge base for advancing Medicare-Medicaid integration.

Better Care Playbook offerings provide information on community-based care. Learn how to optimize the Medicare home health benefit, and impact health care utilization and costs through community-based care management.

Read the latest brief from ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) outlining their top three recommendations to Congress for advancing Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) in Medicare Advantage.

Access the full report, watch the related briefing, and review the data brief detailing the growth in nonmedical benefits.

In the latest Forefront article, TSF President and CEO Sarita A. Mohanty and The John A. Hartford Foundation President Terry Fulmer share how person-driven outcome measures benefits patients and likely helps address a multitude of pressing health care issues.

A Master Plan for Aging (MPA) lays out a roadmap to help states transform the infrastructure and coordination of services for their aging populations and people with disabilities. A new tool from the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) outlines tenets essential to successful MPA development and shares examples of best practices. Learn about the unexpected benefits of an MPA and how to get started.

Approximately 403,000 California Medicare beneficiaries were served by accountable care organizations (ACOs) in 2020, with nearly 16 percent dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal. A new fact sheet from CHCS published in partnership with the Department of Health Care Services Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration provides a foundational understanding of the state’s Medicare ACO structure and who it serves. Learn more about California’s Medicare population.

As nonmedical supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage (MA) become more widely available, now is an important time to reflect on whether we are meeting the promise of the CHRONIC Care Act. Watch the recording of a recent briefing and remarks from Senator Warren.

Read a related report outlining policy recommendations for Congress to advance the Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill in MA plans.

The quality of person-centered care that an older adult receives is heavily dependent upon race, insurance, and income level. A recent report explores ways to increase the availability of person-centered care.

A new report from Long-Term Quality Alliance and ATI Advisory outlines policy recommendations for Congress to advance the Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) in Medicare Advantage (MA). Based on early research tracking the initial implementation and progress of these benefits, recommendations include modifying SSBCI eligibility criteria, incentivizing plans to report SSBCI utilization, and carefully evaluating efforts.

Aging successfully, safely, and happily requires a range of support services. A recent brief from the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution highlights policy opportunities that bridge efforts between housing and community-based service organizations. A second brief reimagines how the nursing home quality rating system could better define and capture the lived experiences of institutionalized residents.

Related, the Better Care Playbook offers evidence and implementation resources at the intersection of housing, health, and social needs.

High costs and an aging population are driving the U.S. health care system to innovate. Watch a recent webinar where our President and CEO Sarita A. Mohanty joined a panel of experts to discuss value-based care and reshaping how the nation delivers health care.

A related Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging report identifies ways technology can support health- and home-care solutions.

Addressing social needs can improve health outcomes and facilitate better use of health care services. Read recent issue briefs from the Institute for Accountable Care identifying key considerations for accountable care organizations (ACOs) to help people access social service resources by using needs assessments and developing partnerships with community-based organizations.

Join Long-Term Quality Alliance and ATI Advisory on May 17 for a virtual briefing on the future of nonmedical supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Featuring new policy recommendations for Congress, this briefing will serve as an important public gathering of influential stakeholders from within long-term care. Register for the event!

According to the latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) survey, some segments of the older population – especially those who live in rural areas and who are Black or Hispanic – have more concerns about the availability and access to services that support aging in their local community. See the related Associated Press article.

A new report from the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging identifies technological opportunities to advance health and home care solutions.

In a recent blog, we teamed with Milbank Memorial Fund to discuss how states can overcome challenges and make the most of American Rescue Plan Act funding for home- and community-based services (HCBS).

The latest Center for Health Care Strategies brief highlights how a Master Plan for Aging (MPA) can help states plan for the future, be responsive in a crisis, and embrace new funding and policy opportunities. Learn how to get started.

The Aging and Disability Business Institute developed an Evidence Bank to help community-based organizations (CBOs) highlight their value as contracting partners to health care entities.

How we talk about complex care is not consistent across sectors. The messaging guide developed by The National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs and the Center for Health Care Strategies aims to further the field. Watch the recent webinar.

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) updated roadmap and accompanying brief have recommendations for federal policy solutions to improve care for individuals with complex medical and nonmedical needs. Watch last week’s event recording.

Also, watch TSF President and CEO Sarita A. Mohanty’s related remarks in discussion with the Alliance for Health Policy on strengthening Medicare and Medicaid flexibilities.

More Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans are offering nonmedical supports to older adults with complex care needs. See ATI Advisory’s data brief detailing how many plans are offering these supplemental benefits this year.

Join Long-Term Quality Alliance with ATI Advisory on May 17 for a virtual briefing on the future of nonmedical supplemental benefits in MA plans. Featuring new policy recommendations, this briefing will serve as an important gathering of influential stakeholders from across the long-term care spectrum.

Medicare and Medicaid flexibilities enacted during the pandemic created opportunities to advance person-centered care. Join our President and CEO Sarita A. Mohanty TODAY, March 30, for a discussion hosted by Alliance for Health Policy on how to strengthen these flexibilities for future generations.

Providing quality care to people with complex needs remains one of the most pressing issues facing our health care system. Join the Bipartisan Policy Center tomorrow, March 31, for a webinar on potential federal policy solutions.

A new issue brief and policymaker playbook from Health Management Associates and Manatt Health provide a framework to help policymakers assess which COVID-19 Medicare and Medicaid regulatory flexibilities advance person-centered care and should be made permanent.

Join our President and CEO Sarita A. Mohanty on March 30 for a discussion hosted by Alliance for Health Policy on how to maintain and strengthen these flexibilities for future generations.

The quality of person-centered care an older adult receives is dependent upon race, insurance, and income level, according to the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation and Leading Age LTSS Center @UMass Boston. The new report also explores practice and policy solutions to increase the availability of person-centered care.

The National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs (see blog) and the Center for Health Care Strategies (see blog) developed a messaging guide and infographic to help providers, advocates, and others talk about complex care. Join today’s webinar to learn more.

Providing quality care to people with complex needs remains one of the most pressing issues facing our health care system. Join the Bipartisan Policy Center on March 31 for a webinar on potential federal policy solutions. 

There is a clear need to assess the impact of Medicare and Medicaid flexibilities enacted during the pandemic. Join an Alliance for Health Policy event on March 30 for a discussion on how to maintain and strengthen these flexibilities for future generations. In the meantime, watch a related session from TSF’s 2021 Forum. 

COVID-19 disproportionately affected older adults, those with complex health conditions, and family caregivers. Manatt Health’s updated resource guide assesses which COVID-19-related policies should be made a permanent part of broader long-term services and supports (LTSS) system reform.

Our Sustaining Flexibilities in Medicare and Medicaid initiative engages partners to expand the knowledge base through reporting on the implementation and outcomes of the Medicare-Medicaid flexibilities. Watch a Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy video that discusses leveraging reforms to expand home-based care. 

The Center for Health Care Strategies has developed a messaging guide and summary to communicate effectively when building support for complex care approaches. Register for the March 16 webinar to learn more. 

We partner with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program to build awareness on aging and elevate how multiple sectors affect the lives of older adults. A recent CalMatters piece shared challenges nursing home residents often experience when considering transitioning back into the community. 

Health care providers and payers are increasingly using Social Health Access Referral Platforms (SHARP) to refer patients to community-based organizations (CBOs). The Aging and Disability Business Institute identified key issues for CBO’s to consider when deciding whether to work with a SHARP.

Dr. Mohanty recently reflected on 2021 and looked ahead to efforts TSF is advancing. Read her Perspectives and watch the related clip.

California’s Department of Health Care Services recently released a chartbook developed with ATI Advisory. Profile of the California Medicare Population details key characteristics of the state’s Medicare beneficiaries to help inform the future development of policies and programs.

Long-Term Quality Alliance and ATI Advisory released new insights on the Contract Year 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D (MAPD) Proposed Rule and its impact on nonmedical supplemental benefits. See additional resources, including an analysis of the benefits offered in 2022. In a recent Playbook blog, learn how plans have used these benefits to support family caregivers.

See also, ATI Advisory’s earlier insights on the impact of the MAPD Proposed Rule on dually eligible beneficiaries in this tool and blog.

Innovation and Leadership in Healthy Aging highlights global promising practices, such as the importance of nonmedical supports for aging well and the framework of California’s Master Plan for Aging.

Find best practices from leading voices in the complex care field, and watch the virtual forum to hear firsthand experiences on providing care to people with complex health and social needs.

Governor Newsom’s recently released 2022-23 proposed budget includes several changes that impact services for older adults and people with disabilities. See how the proposed budget addresses Master Plan for Aging priorities like health care access and the care economy workforce.

The Center for Health Care Strategies recently convened innovators who developed seven considerations when designing and refining complex care programs.

Also, Health Affairs will be hosting a virtual forum tomorrow that highlights key elements from its series on complex care along with the voices of patients, caregivers, and advocates who have firsthand experience in the field.

A new analysis by ATI Advisory shows that more Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are offering Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) in 2022. Learn more about which plans are offering which benefits.

More states are interested in developing Master Plans for Aging (MPAs). Read New York’s announcement, and a recent blog highlighting a podcast on lessons learned in Colorado and Texas.

To advance MPA activities, the Center for Health Care Strategies seeks Letters of Intent for states to participate in a learning collaborative. The deadline for submission is Monday, January 31.

California’s MPA has inspired unprecedented levels of coordinated action across the state’s network of aging and disability providers, policymakers, researchers, and advocates. See what’s planned for 2022 and hear from Dr. Mohanty at Friday’s anniversary event.

Through our partnerships with the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC), reporters are sharing the experiences of older adults living in community. The following coverage rounded out 2021:

• An article in The Washington Post explained how family caregivers are using monitoring technology to keep older loved ones with cognitive decline safe. The piece looked at related issues of affordability, access, and quality of care as well as ethical questions about privacy.
• How are older adults dealing with ongoing COVID-19 isolation? A Travel + Leisure article recounted one retiree’s experiences and train travels. A Next Avenue piece shared how an intergenerational program in San Francisco expanded its purpose to support older and younger people during the pandemic.
• Polling explored people’s opinions of telehealth and The Associated Press unpacked how preferences vary based on age, race and ethnicity, education, and income.

Older adults can age well in their community of choice with proper supports and services. This can take the form of family, friends, neighbors, and even community centers where older adults can connect with people their own age. Watch as three older adults share their stories.

California’s Master Plan for Aging calls for the modernization of the state’s Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP). Recommendations focus on ways to reach more Medicare beneficiaries and prioritize equity in their service offerings. Learn more.

A Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy brief highlights policy opportunities to advance home-based care for Medicare beneficiaries, and research explores leveraging payment reforms to support people with complex needs at home.

Finally, a report from the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution shares insights on transforming our long-term care system.

Learn the who, what, where, and how of home and community-based services (HCBS) in a new fact sheet from AARP as part of a series on transforming long-term services and supports (LTSS) as part of the LTSS State Scorecard.

More states are considering their own Master Plan for Aging (MPA). Read about state activity, see what New York state is doing, and get started with this toolkit and related webinar.

Since COVID-19 emerged, Americans have had a lot of time to think about what they want their life to be like, including what it means to age well and equitably. Watch three older adults who are thriving at home in community with the support of loved ones.

This work is one example of how our communication partners give voice to issues of aging and support enhanced storytelling. Learn more.

Building on lessons during COVID-19, a new National Academy of Medicine paper outlines priority actions and policy considerations for centering patients, families, and communities in health care delivery. Read a related report examining the care system’s pandemic response. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many inefficiencies in the nation’s long-term care (LTC) system. A recent Health Affairs blog looks at the impact of payment policies on nursing facilities. Another discusses state approaches for stabilizing the direct care work force through American Rescue Plan Act funds.

New research from Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) and ATI Advisory offers insights and policy recommendations on Medicare Advantage (MA) nonmedical supplemental benefits. Learn about who is providing what services, and how the landscape has evolved.

• Progress report – Delivering on the Promise of the CHRONIC Care Act: Progress in Implementing Nonmedical Supplemental Benefits
• Policy brief – Delivering on the Promise of the CHRONIC Care Act: Policy Recommendations for the Biden Administration to Advance Nonmedical Supplemental Benefits
• Webinar recording – Delivering on the Promise of the CHRONIC Care Act: The Future of Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits

As we get older, the majority of us will need some nonmedical help to remain independent. Learn how our grantees are championing solutions to finance nonmedical needs and advance key Medicare-Medicaid flexibilities from the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Our monthlong series explored aging and engaging with our health care and long-term care systems. We highlighted personal experiences of older Californians, consulted with experts, and captured visual summaries.

The Forum culminated with a poem written in real time bringing us back to the heart of the matter: What do we mean by “aging well” and “aging equitably”? View all the Forum recordings and resources.

The Support and Services at Home (SASH) model meets people where they are, integrating housing with community-based services and health care to coordinate services. An article in Generations Today explores how SASH is being used in different states.

A recent Aging and Disability Business Institute profile explores Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore and My Care Family Accountable Care Organization (ACO) partnership. The alliance resulted in better health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries and the expansion of contracts to address social needs, including housing and nutrition.

The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) launched the Getting Started with a Master Plan for Aging toolkit outlining the eight key “building blocks” that state leaders, advocates, industry leaders, and other interested stakeholders can use to gain governor and legislature support for an MPA in their states.

Read a blog from the National Conference of State Legislatures on how states should consider home- and community-based services in light of the American Rescue Plan Act.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our virtual 2021 Forum: Amplifying All Voices in Aging. It’s not too late to watch previous weeks’ recordings and register for our final session!

Tomorrow, TSF President & CEO Sarita A. Mohanty will moderate a futurist discussion on how to reimagine and build a society where all populations can age well. We’re looking forward to hearing insights from experts in the fields of public health, media, and technology. In addition, we’ll recognize the recipient of our 2021 Innovation Award. See you there!

Journalists from the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley are sharing the experiences of older adults living in community through an equity lens. Recent coverage includes:

• ‘It Makes a Humongous Difference’: Lack of Wi-Fi in City Single-Room Occupancy Hotels Deepens Residents’ Isolation (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Hope and Disappointment for the Homeless in Oakland (The New York Times)
• ‘How Am I Going to Keep This Up?’ COVID Intensifies Plight of Family Caregivers (CalMatters)

Also, summer polling from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) showed Americans generally think their communities offer the services needed to age at home. Yet, people of color and people with lower incomes are less likely to report their area does a good job providing health care, transportation, and in-home supports, among other services.

Join ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance on November 16 to hear the latest research insights and policy recommendations for nonmedical supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage (MA).

We hope you’re enjoying Amplifying All Voices in Aging each Wednesday in October. It’s not too late to watch previous weeks’ recordings and register for our third session!

Tomorrow, we will examine the temporary Medicare and Medicaid flexibilities enacted in response to COVID-19. Come consider what flexibilities should become permanent to achieve person-centered care for the future.

Medicare and Medicaid policy changes enabled during the pandemic can create a roadmap to better care for adults with complex needs. Learn more.

• Health Management Associates describes initial and ongoing Medicare and Medicaid adaptations enacted during the pandemic.
• Manatt Health examines how states are using policy flexibilities to improve long-term services and supports.
• Our June 2020 brief unpacks how the changes supported California applications of person-centered care.
• Convergence Center for Policy Resolution is working with national experts to reimagine the long-term care system and make it more affordable.

My Care, My Choice (MCMC), a tool we developed to help Californians with Medicare and Medicaid better understand their health care options, has moved to a new home. Through a grant from the Administration for Community Living, the National Council on Aging has adopted the resource with plans to adapt it for more states, starting first with Ohio. Read the press release.

We hope you’re enjoying our 2021 Forum: Amplifying All Voices in Aging. Our virtual series, Wednesdays in October, continues with a focus on supporting older adults and people with disabilities who have complex needs.

Tomorrow, join us to learn about applications of the core competencies created by the National Center for Complex Health & Social Needs (National Center). These competencies are helping the health care and social service sectors deliver team-based and person-centered care.

Register for this week’s panel!

A recent article highlights how person-driven outcome measures developed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) can be used to assess quality, promote person-centered care, and improve the care experience for individuals and their providers.

Amplifying All Voices in Aging is a four-week virtual series, every Wednesday in October, to share people’s experiences engaging with health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS).

On Wednesday, October 6, learn about the pressing issues facing California’s LTSS system, engage with leaders to better understand the state’s policy landscape through an equity lens, and consider where you can play a role.

It’s not too late to register!

Amplifying All Voices in Aging is a four-week series to share people’s experiences engaging with health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS). Every Wednesday in October, we’ll hearfrom experts and stakeholders and discuss how to advance person-focused, policy-driven solutions to support older adults and families. Register today!

October 6 – Amplifying All Voices in LTSS Systems Transformation: California State of the State 

For California’s older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers, the past year brought significant challenges, including equity issues magnified by COVID-19. The Master Plan for Aging demonstrates a commitment to addressing system issues and related inequities with transformation on the horizon through opportunities such as the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. In this session…

October 13 – From Theory to Practice: Delivering Care for People with Complex Needs

Supporting older adults and people with disabilities who have complex needs can be challenging, but services have become more integrated and focused on a person’s goals. This makes it essential to enlist providers who can deliver person-centered care. The National Center for Complex Health & Social Needs created a set of core competencies for the health care and social service sectors. This session will provide…

October 20 – Transforming Medicare and Medicaid Beyond COVID-19 for a Person-Centered Future 

While COVID-19 exposed problems in meeting the medical and nonmedical needs of older adults, the federal government allowed states and local providers substantial flexibilities in how care could be organized, delivered, and paid for through Medicare and Medicaid. This emergency response unveiled new ways to deliver care to those living with complex needs beyond what was previously imagined. In this session…

October 27 – A Future Vision for Aging Well and Equitably Beyond COVID: Reflections from Public Health, Media, and Technology Leaders

By 2034, the United States will have more older adults than children and increasing racial and ethnic diversity across the population. How do we reimagine and build an equitable society where all populations can age well, particularly in light of reshaped perspectives from the COVID-19 crisis? This discussion will include…

Read a new blog from ATI Advisory exploring how Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) and the Value-Based Insurance Design Model provide opportunities for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to offer housing/rental support to their beneficiaries.

This year’s virtual Forum, Amplifying All Voices in Aging, is a four-week series sharing people’s experiences engaging with health care and long-term services and supports. Each week we will hear from experts and stakeholders on a range of topics. View information on each session and register today!
Week 1
Amplifying All Voices in LTSS Systems Transformation: California State of the State (October 6)

Week 2
From Theory to Practice: Delivering Care for People with Complex Needs (October 13)

Week 3
Transforming Medicare and Medicaid Beyond COVID-19 for a Person-Centered Future (October 20)

Week 4
A Future Vision for Aging Well and Equitably Beyond COVID: Reflections from Public Health, Media, and Technology Leaders (October 27)

A wide range of Americans rely on long-term care (LTC) for help with daily living. Nearly half of all adults aged 65 today will need LTC at some point in their lives. Learn about current proposals for LTC that expand access to home- and community-based services (HCBS).

• Watch this week’s webinar addressing LTC affordability and current proposals to expand Medicaid HCBS.
• Read a new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center on how LTC can be made more affordable for people who do not qualify for Medicaid.

Read a new report from the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution that highlights LTC experts’ thoughts on rethinking care for older adults in light of COVID-19, and identifies key issues to address for LTC system transformation.

This year’s virtual Forum, Amplifying All Voices in Aging, is a four-week series sharing people’s experiences engaging with health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS). Each week, we will hear from experts and stakeholders on a range of topics from the state of LTSS systems in California to transforming Medicare and Medicaid beyond COVID-19 for a person-centered future. View the agenda, and register today!

Enacted on July 12, California’s 2021-22 budget addresses longstanding system challenges impacting older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. Read our fact sheet to learn about key investments to support implementation of the Master Plan for Aging and California’s Home- and Community-Based Spending Plan.

Read a new blog from the National Conference of State Legislatures highlighting opportunities for states to improve access to HCBS through several options, including the Medicaid HCBS funding in the American Rescue Plan Act.

How can community-based organizations (CBOs) improve their business acumen?

Read a recent Generations Today article sharing insights from the Aging and Disability Business Institute (ADBI) learning collaborative.

See also ADBI’s new Health Care Outreach Toolkit for CBOs.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) developed outcome measures that assess whether health care is helping older adults achieve “what matters most” to them.

Learn how states can use person-driven outcomes to drive quality and accountability in contracted health plans. Watch prior webinars:

• Public Sector Briefing: Person-Driven Outcomes
• Grantmakers in Health 2021 Annual Conference Quick Take: Measuring What Matters to Older Adults

The nation’s long-term care system must become more accessible and affordable if it’s to meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities.

To accelerate progress, AARP Public Policy Institute has launched LTSS Choices: A Series on Advancing Transformation in Long-Term Services and Supports.

Related: Watch a video on supporting family caregivers, and read a Health Affairs blog about current policy options.

This year’s virtual event, Amplifying All Voices in Aging, is a four-week series to explore the stories of real people aging and engaging with our health care and long-term services and supports systems. We will also hear from experts and stakeholders along the way.

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We partner with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program to build awareness on aging in America and elevate how myriad sectors affect the lives of older adults. See the latest coverage below.

• An article in The Sacramento Bee (subscription required) examines how climate change is impacting older adults and inspiring a wave of activism. Read about climate-friendly aging in California’s Master Plan for Aging.
• A piece in The New York Times illustrates needs at the intersection of aging, public health, and housing.

Hollywood, Health & Society (HH&S) at USC informs the entertainment industry’s depictions of aging and family caregiving. This new resource page compiles data on aging and health-related storylines along with viewer perceptions and actions.

The latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) poll shows Americans generally think their communities offer the services needed to age at home. Yet, people of color and people with lower incomes are less likely to report their area does a good job providing health care, transportation, and in-home supports, among other services.

“Americans want to age at home, but not all populations have the ability to do so—particularly communities of color and those of lower socioeconomic status,” said Dr. Sarita A. Mohanty, President & CEO of The SCAN Foundation. “Through the thoughtful use of the American Rescue Plan funds, states and localities can make a huge difference by creating more equitable access to key community services that make living well and safely at home a reality.”

Read the related Associated Press coverage.

AARP Public Policy Institute shares how some states are addressing the needs of older adults and people with disabilities by linking affordable housing to long-term services and supports (LTSS).

Explore the latest toolkit from The National Center for Complex Health & Social Needs comprised of best practices for developing complex care programs.

Person-driven outcome (PDO) measures assess the quality of care based on what matters most to individuals.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is building PDO measures into their programs for health care entities and states to consider using in order to drive quality and accountability. Watch a recent webinar highlighting how states can apply enhanced home-and community-based services funding to quality improvement activities, including PDO.

A Generations Today article explains how Medicare Advantage plans are using special supplemental benefits to offer home- and community-based services, address social determinants of health, and improve the lives of their members.

(If you received a link directly from ADBI, please use that link to complete the survey.)

New research from the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation shares Medicare-Medicaid beneficiary perspectives on integrated care and offers recommendations to improve enrollment.

• Read Listening to Dually Eligible Individuals: Person-Centered Enrollment Strategies for Integrated Care.
• Check out the Person-Centered Enrollment Strategies for Integrated Care Toolkit.
• Watch an expert panel discuss the findings and recommendations.

In 2020, TSF acknowledged the depth of disruptive change, focused on resiliency through creativity, and remained committed to its mission. Read our annual report.

Read a new Bipartisan Policy Center brief identifying key challenges and opportunities to expanding Medicare and Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS), as well as policy options for congressional consideration.

Review highlights from the recent Forbes Health in Action event. Our president and CEO discussed person-centered care and health care transformation in a post-pandemic world.

Governor Gavin Newsom released the May Revision of the 2021-22 proposed budget on May 14.

Read our fact sheet to learn about the budget surplus and Master Plan for Aging investment.

Join our president & CEO at two national events highlighting key issues in transforming care for older adults:

• June 8 at Forbes Health in Action: Dr. Mohanty and a panel of experts will discuss challenges in reaching older adults and other vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
• June 9 at the National Health Equity Summit: Dr. Mohanty will moderate a panel on eradicating ageism as a critical component of advancing health equity.

The California Collaborative for Long Term Services and Supports (CCLTSS) and Regional Coalitions advocate to transform care for older adults and people with disabilities, including support for the Master Plan for Aging.

• Read a blog highlighting recent Senior Advocacy Day activities.
• Attend local forums across the state to learn more about the Master Plan for Aging.
• Visit the CCLTSS Master Plan for Aging legislation tracker.

Watch a recent National Conference of State Legislatures webinar where states share strategies for reducing long-term services and supports (LTSS) costs while providing quality care. A related report highlights the LTSS State Scorecard and long-term LTSS solutions.

Read a new brief by Health Management Associates, co-funded with The Commonwealth Fund, which tracks Medicare regulatory flexibilities created during COVID-19. It provides a useful framework for policymakers to consider which temporary flexibilities should become permanent.

Join us at Forbes Health in Action on June 8 to hear about challenges on reaching vulnerable populations during the pandemic, and its unique impact on older Americans.

Panelists:

• Sarita Mohanty, The SCAN Foundation
• John Kao, Alignment Healthcare
• Bruce Japsen, Forbes

Join us on June 9 at the National Health Equity Summit where a distinguished panel will address eradicating ageism as a critical component of advancing health equity.

Panelists:

• Sarita Mohanty, The SCAN Foundation (Moderator)
• Ken Dychtwald, Age Wave
• Nathaniel Kendall-Taylor, FrameWorks Institute
• Phyllis Meadows, Kresge Foundation
• Terry Fulmer, The John A. Hartford Foundation

Read recent articles highlighting thoughts from our new President and CEO, Dr.

Sarita Mohanty, and TSF grantee work:

• The New York Times spoke with Dr. Mohanty on how COVID-19 made many families and older adults reconsider nursing home care.
• In an op-ed for The Hill, Dr. Mohanty shares why investing in a Master Plan for Aging and person-centered care models is essential.
• The Sacramento Bee article describes how the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) helps older adults age well in community during COVID-19 (via UC Berkeley Investigative Reporting Program).
• The Associated Press reported that Americans believe government should help adults age at home, according to a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.

Register for the Better Care Playbook webinar on May 17 featuring promising strategies for identifying unique subpopulations with complex health and social needs to better tailor health care interventions.

California leads the way with a Master Plan for Aging, and other states are considering the opportunity.

A key element of a successful Master Plan is committed leadership from elected officials. Learn more about Master Plan activities in California and other states:

• Read a new report from National Conference of State Legislatures highlighting policy approaches for meeting the needs of an aging population, including a Master Plan.
• Watch a briefing on a recent California poll where voters called for state leaders to invest in equity and the Master Plan.

This spring, J. Wallin Opinion Research surveyed 1,000 likely voters across California to gauge support of the Master Plan for Aging. Findings showed that voters want elected officials and state leaders to invest in the Master Plan for Aging, with a focus on equity and those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Learn more about the survey and share key findings:

• Presentation: Understanding Voters’ Perspectives on California’s Master Plan for Aging
• Press release
• Infographic & social media toolkit

A new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) shows strong public support for government policies to help people age in their own homes and communities. Given the choice, most Americans want to receive care and support at home as they grow older.

• Read the AP Story: Government should help Americans age at home
• Review the report

Likely voters across California were surveyed on their support of the Master Plan for Aging and state leadership investment in key goals. On May 3, join us for this special briefing to hear poll findings and a discussion among key state leaders and stakeholders.

Register Here

Join the National Conference of State Legislatures’ webinar to hear states share strategies for reducing long-term services and supports (LTSS) costs while providing quality care.

Read a recent report on this work that highlights the LTSS State Scorecard.

Register Here

The Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) and ATI Advisory released a “Frequently Asked Questions” brief on new supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage. For more information, watch their latest webinars, Advancing Nonmedical Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage: Part 1 and Part 2.

Apply now for the The John A. Hartford Foundation 2021 Business Innovation Award. The award recognizes community-based organizations for their strategic partnerships with health care entities serving older adults and people with disabilities.

Nominations due by May 14, 2021.

As part of the State Scorecard, AARP Public Policy Institute describes assistive technology, how it helps older adults and people with disabilities lead more independent lives, and collaborative approaches to expand its availability.

Read two recent articles highlighting TSF-supported work.

• The New York Times describes re-thinking care beyond nursing homes, and how states are responding through a Master Plan for Aging.
• The Conversation/Yahoo News discusses racial and other disparities when addressing care preferences of older people, and how health systems can become more person-centered.

The 2021 ASA Managed Care Summit at On Aging 2021 this Friday will unpack health inequities illuminated during COVID-19, and share ways community-based organization (CBO)/health system partnerships can help heal our communities.

To better serve people living with complex care needs, a recent report from by the Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs outlines core competencies for providers in this field.

• Attend a webinar hosted by Grantmakers in Aging and Grantmakers in Health to learn more about the Core Competencies for Frontline Complex Care Providers.
• Funders can also check out Creating New Connections: How Philanthropy Can Support Better Care for People with Complex Health and Social Needs for insights on key issues and ways to deepen their work.

Medicare Advantage plans have historic flexibility to provide nonmedical benefits — such as food, prescription delivery, and housing assistance — to meet the needs of their members with complex health conditions. Read more about these Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) from the Better Care Playbook:

• ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance explore the promising potential of SSBCI.
• ATI Advisory outlines actionable strategies for plans and providers to implement SSBCI.

Read a new brief from Resources for Integrated Care on key considerations for effective partnerships between health plans and community-based organizations (CBOs) to meet members’ needs, such as meal delivery, social engagement activities, and transportation.

• Learn about the growth of cross-sector partnerships in a recent blog post from the Better Care Playbook.

Results from an Aging and Disability Business Institute (ADBI) survey offer insights to help CBOs present a business case to health care entities.

• Read a blog post from the Better Care Playbook about Area Agencies on Aging meeting health-related social needs; and
• Complete CBO readiness assessments from ADBI.

Eight foundation leaders herald the California’s Master Plan for Aging, calling forth the importance of partnership and priorities to ensure equity in aging with dignity and independence for all.

Read a new article from the National Conference of State Legislatures highlighting the LTSS State Scorecard as an assessment tool for state performance, and learn best practices from leading states awarded the 2020 Pacesetter Prize.

Read Manatt Health’s updated resource guide, spotlighting how states are transforming long-term services and supports during COVID-19 and planning for the future.

Read a new Playbook blog where Marc Cohen and Ann Hwang, MD discuss new research showing racial disparities in accounting for the preferences of older people, and how health systems can become more person-centered.

A new analysis from ATI Advisory and the Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) shows that more Medicare Advantage plans are offering Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) and with wider availability. Learn more about ways to advance new nonmedical supplemental benefits in Medicare:

• Explore a new data brief and chartbook on Medicare Advantage plan offerings in 2021.
• Hear new insights on opportunities for policymakers.
• Watch Part 1 and Part 2 of a webinar series and review the slides.
• Read the Roadmap for plan considerations and policy opportunities.

Aging and Disability Business Institute (ADBI) provides resources and training to community-based organizations seeking to build contracting relationships with health care partners.

Visit the redesigned ADBI website for:

• A new Resource Library
• Updated suite of assessment tools
• Best practices in contracting through Partnerships in Action

The Pacesetter Prize shines a light on states that are actively creating a high-performing system of care, and shares best practices.

Watch our recent webinar with Pacesetter Prize state leaders who shared insights about challenges and successes.

Read an article that highlights these leading states and opportunities to plan for an aging population.

• Affordability and Access: Connecticut won for its robust program offerings – featuring extensive benefit options – for people with and without Medicaid.
• Choice of Setting and Provider: New Jersey won for being a national leader in using managed care to give more choices, and increasing access to home- and community-based care for Medicare-eligible adults with complex needs.
• Support for Family Caregivers: New York won for its comprehensive approach to empowering family caregivers, strengthening paid family leave laws, and expanding transportation options.
• Effective Transitions: Ohio won for its successful efforts to move people who need LTSS out of institutions and back into community-based settings.

Learn more about the Pacesetter Prize and continue the conversation on social with #PacesetterPrize.

Nearly 250 federal regulatory changes have occurred in response to COVID-19, and will likely continue in the near future. Read Health Management Associates’ new analysis and blog on updates to Medicare regulatory flexibilities since July 2020 (co-funded with The Commonwealth Fund).

Learn about the Community Care Connections program that helps older adults with complex needs navigate medical and social services, and shows promise on reducing acute care utilization.

Governor Gavin Newsom released his 2021-22 proposed budget on January 8.

Read our fact sheet to learn how the budget connects to California’s Master Plan for Aging.

According to new research from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston, one-third of older adults report that their care preferences were rarely or only sometimes taken into account, with large variations by race, income, and other factors. Learn more!

Join the Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) and ATI Advisory for a new webinar on ways to advance nonmedical supplemental benefits in 2022 and beyond, featuring experts from health plans, providers, and advocacy groups.

• Hear insights from ATI experts
• Review the roadmap and two-page summary
• Watch December 4th webinar recording and slides

People who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid are among the nation’s highest-need, highest-cost populations.

The Better Care Playbook has grouped resources on care models that integrate services and financing for these beneficiaries. Read the related blog.

Today, the state released the Master Plan for Aging, a visionary, 10-year blueprint that seeks to build an equitable California where everyone has the opportunity to age with dignity and independence in the place that they call home. Hear from the foundation CEOs.

Watch the video conference to learn about the Master Plan’s five bold goals and 23 strategies for building a California for All Ages by 2030.

Join us for a January 22 conversation about how states can improve long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. This event will honor the winning states of the 2020 Pacesetter Prize: Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. The Prize, which uses data from the AARP LTSS State Scorecard, shines light on states that are actively building a high-quality infrastructure for aging Americans.

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) re-released its 2019 report on ways to expand supplemental benefits in Medicare for those with complex care needs. Starting in 2020, Medicare Advantage plans were permitted to offer special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill (SSBCI).

BPC’s latest resources include an infographic on Medicare’s legislative and regulatory pathways, an infographic on SSBCI, and a helpful one-pager.

ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) shared resources on the nonmedical supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage. The related November 19 webinar recording and presentation slides are now available on the Better Care Playbook.

Read additional information from the Aging and Disability Business Institute: Changes to Medicare Advantage Reinforce the Role of CBOs in Supplemental Benefits.

Last month, the 2020 Pacesetter Prize for leadership in improving long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers was awarded to Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.

Read related coverage of this year’s LTSS State Scorecard in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) magazine.

The ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) released new resources on the expanded, nonmedical supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage, including a roadmap outlining actionable steps as well as a brief explaining short- and long-term policy opportunities.

Join today’s 9:30 am (Pacific time) webinar from the Better Care Playbook to hear more.

Our recent AARP Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) State Scorecard blog identifies opportunities for reshaping how services are delivered to older adults, people with disabilities, and their family caregivers.

Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio received the latest Pacesetter Prize for leadership in improving long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. Each winning state had improvements or innovations in key areas of LTSS, based on data from the AARP LTSS State Scorecard.

Read the American Society on Aging (ASA) Generations Blog: Work Left to Be Done After LTSS Scorecard Shows States’ Performance

An upcoming webinar from the Better Care Playbook will explore considerations for health plan adoption and implementation of expanded supplemental benefits to address social needs. Register today.

Read Dr. Chernof’s latest Perspectives, which reflects on our 2020 Forum: Honoring the Journey of Growing Older. You can also now access all the Forum materials and recordings.

TSF celebrates DayBreak Adult Care Centers as this year’s Innovation Award winner! DayBreak is a member organization of our California Advocacy Network that has delivered initiative-driven leadership to improve the lives of older adults in California.

Learn more.

A new report shares takeaways from the 2020 Social Isolation Impact Summit convened by the Motion Picture & Television Fund and the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging.

Register now for our 2020 Forum: Honoring the Journey of Growing Older on October 19-20! It will include livestream plenaries, breakout sessions, performances, and more. Materials for our sessions are now available in the Forum Lobby.

• Wondering if you have time to join us?

  Check out our detailed agenda and read our attendee frequently asked questions.

• Use the Forum App to network and receive helpful notifications throughout the two-day event.

  Search for “The SCAN Foundation Forum” in the App store (Apple or Android) and select “Download.” The Forum App is totally free! You will need to log in using the email address you used to register for the Forum and sign up for notifications.

This week, ATI Advisory released analysis on Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan Year 2021 data. Some 738 plans are offering nonmedical supplemental benefits in 2021, an increase of 48 percent from 2020.

Recently, AARP released the fourth edition of the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) State Scorecard. It provides comparable data in order for state leaders, stakeholders, and others to benchmark performance, measure progress, and identify key areas of improvement.

See how California ranked, and Crossfit bodybuilding mma combat sport trenbolone australia horizon torus 3 multi gym buy with 52 customer ratings – sport-tiedje. read our policy brief. Read related coverage from McKnight’s Senior Living.

New polling from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) shows that more than one-third of U.S. family caregivers have seen their responsibilities increase due to COVID-19. Yet, 2020 has not led to any heightened awareness when it comes to preparations for growing older or providing support to others.

A related Associated Press article further distills caregivers’ current experiences. 

Just in time for open enrollment, My Care, My Choice can help Californians with Medicare and Medi-Cal better understand their care choices! New information about plan choices for 2021 is now available, and resources are available in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, along with English and Spanish.