Obama Budget Proposal Would Expand Home and Community-Based Care
President Obama‘s budget proposal for FY17 contains numerous measures designed to help elders “to remain healthy and independent in their homes and communities.”
The budget allocates $358 million — a $10 million increase from last year — toward funding a variety of “aging programs that provide critical help and supports to older Americans, such as in-home personal care, respite care, and transportation assistance,” a fact sheet (pdf) accompanying the budget proposal says.
Programs highlighted in the fact sheet include the Aging and Disability Resource Centers program, which educates elders and people with disabilities about their long-term care options, and the Lifespan Respite Care program, which supports family caregivers.
Additionally, the budget allows for states to choose to expand their Medicaid home and community-based services systems through the Community First Choice and 1915(i) options.
A pilot program allowing five states to test a new long-term care state plan option to provide supports across the continuum of care is also included in the president’s budget proposal.
Finally, the budget includes $10 million to fund “evidence-based interventions to reduce elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation,” plus an additional $6.25 million to support the Department of Justice‘s Enhanced Training and Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women in Later Life Program.
— by Matthew Ozga
