LUJAN, KAINE LEAD LEGISLATION TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan issued the following press release:

U.S. Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act, legislation to ensure older adults and people with disabilities have a real choice between receiving long-term care at home or in institutional settings. The legislation would make home and community-based care a mandatory Medicaid benefit, gradually eliminate waiting lists for services, strengthen the home and community-based care workforce, and provide greater support for family caregivers.

Under current Medicaid policy, many older adults and people with disabilities have access to nursing homes and other institutional care, but if they...