The long existing need for the reform of outdated Medicaid long term care policy has never been more apparent than now, when thousands of disabled people of all ages have been dying in nursing homes and other congregate settings where they have no protection from the highly contagious COVID-19.
National ADAPT demands that Congress:
1. Provide funding in any COVID Stimulus 4.0 package to pay for Home and Community Based Services and Supports (HCBS), and related workforce costs, housing, and transportation needs and support the Coronavirus Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act of 2020 (S. 3544 and H.R. 6305).
2. Make Money Follows the Person permanent in law to ensure people can leave institutions and live in their own homes in the community.
3. Designate the home and community workforce as essential, and ensure adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided for both home and community workers and the people they assist.
4. Provide funding so that the essential community workers are paid a fair and living wage commensurate with the risks they take to provide essential services and supports, including paid leave time in case they fall ill, hazard pay and overtime.
5. Immediately remove the “institutional bias” from Medicaid law and policy.
6. Invest in massive support for development of integrated, affordable, accessible housing in cities, towns and rural areas; infrastructure and rental assistance; and emergency options that address needs caused by the COVID crisis.