The Buzz

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.

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.

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.

Few Americans say their lives have returned to what they were pre-pandemic, according to the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC). Groups that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic – such as Black and Hispanic Americans – express more reservations about returning to public life and cite the availability of effective COVID-19 treatments as essential for doing so.

“It’s critical to consider the needs of Hispanic and Black American communities beyond masking and testing, but also through the continuation of pandemic-era services like telehealth, curbside pickup, and virtual options for social activities that help those concerned about the virus to still engage with public life,” said Dr. Sarita A. Mohanty, president and CEO of The SCAN Foundation.

See the related Associated Press article.

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).

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.