CBPP Update: New Legislation Would Deepen Investments in Medicaid HCBS

From the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities:​

New Legislation Would Deepen Investments in Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services
The Better Care Better Jobs Act (S.2210), introduced in the Senate in June, follows up on President Biden’s proposal in the American Jobs Plan to improve access to Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS), strengthen the direct care workforce, and extend the Money Follows the Person demonstration. This investment would be a critical step toward expanding HCBS for all low-income people who need them. More federal funds for HCBS are needed to expand services and strengthen the caregiving workforce, and will help states attract and better train caregivers, improve working conditions, and provide higher pay. These improvements would build on the 10 percentage-point increase in the federal Medicaid matching rate for HCBS (available through March 31, 2022, for states that enhance, expand, or strengthen HCBS) included in the American Rescue Plan Act enacted in March.