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COVID-19 has impacted older adults and people with disabilities in many ways. In addition to increased risk of serious illness or death, the pandemic also put additional demands on the support and service systems many people with disabilities and older adults rely on, bringing to light direct care workforce shortages and the increased need to further develop and strengthen home and community-based services (HCBS).

In an unpreceded opportunity to enhance and strengthen the HCBS system, The American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Biden in March provided $12.7 billion to increase access to HCBS for Medicaid beneficiaries. In May, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provided states with guidance to receive the enhanced funding.

This webinar will include an overview of Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan and presentations from Colorado and Massachusetts on innovative initiatives in their initial state spending plans.  

Speakers: 

• Alison Barkoff, Acting Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration for Community Living 
• Ralph Lollar, Director, Division of Long Term Services and Supports, Disabled and Elderly Health Program Group, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
• Jennifer Bowdoin, Director, Division of Community Systems Transformation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Bonnie Silva, Director, Office of Community Living, State of Colorado  
• Whitney Moyer, Chief, Office of Long Term Services and Supports, Commonwealth of Massachusetts