News
n4a Responds to Finance Committee on Importance of Aging Network Services
- By: USAging
- On: 06/25/2015 10:16:06
- In: Policy & Advocacy
In response to a request from a bipartisan group of Senate Finance Committee Members seeking input about improving care and lowering Medicare costs for individuals living with multiple chronic conditions, n4a highlighted the importance Aging Network services.
In response to a request from a bipartisan group of Senate Finance Committee Members seeking input about improving care and lowering Medicare costs for individuals living with multiple chronic conditions, n4a highlighted the importance of Aging Network services in bridging the gap between acute health and community-based care.
Committee members were specifically seeking input on policy strategies to lower Medicare costs and better achieve the triple aim of better heath and better care at lower costs. Given the important nexus between acute health care covered under Medicare and critical LTSS provided by Medicaid and in the community, n4a focused on the need to focus better aligning the two.
n4a also contributed heavily to and supported a letter to the Finance Committee signed by 37 national health, aging and disability groups.We strongly support and appreciate the Committee?s efforts to look at strategies to reduce Medicare costs for individuals living with multiple chronic conditions while improving the quality and efficacy of that care, we also strongly encourage lawmakers to look beyond policy solutions that focus exclusively on Medicare payment for acute services...we strongly recommend that policy options better and more effectively integrate acute care and LTSS. ...the health care landscape is changing, and there is an enhanced focus on aligning health care systems. We urge the Committee to adopt a holistic approach to services, incorporating LTSS and removing outdated restrictions that prevent Medicare from utilizing a broad array of home and community-based services in coordination with Medicaid.