Aging/Older Adults

Every May, ACL leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year's theme is Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes. ACL is providing resources to help organizations celebrate Older Americans Month in promoting flexible thinking about aging – and how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included.

A new report from the Alliance’s Homelessness Research Institute analyzes 2018 data from the Vulnerability Index Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool to examine the different ways in which older adults exit homelessness; identify disparities in types of exits by shelter status, race, ethnicity, and gender; and recommend issues that need further research and policy attention.

Earlier this week University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation released findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Health Aging. The new report share results gathered in late January 2023 that add to previous data from polls fielded in 2018 and during all three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report shared that one in three (34%) of older adults reported feeling isolated from others in the past year, a decline from the 2020 report findings.

The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG), and the Health Matters Program at the University of Illinois Chicago issued a new brief “Over Medication of Older Adults with Intellectual Disability: Risks for Brain Health”. The advisory cautions readers that arise from over medication and suggestions for steps that can be taken to prevent the over- medication of older adults.

KFF released a new report that shares a range of strategies states are using as they prepare to resume Medicaid disenrollment. The twenty-first annual KFF survey of state Medicaid Health Insurance (CHIP) Programs officials found that many states are using an array of strategies to promote continuity of coverage. The report shares findings from all states on their strategies to promote continuous coverage.

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, MACPAC released it's March 2023 Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP. The report recommends a series of measures aimed at improving the collection of race and ethnicity data, increasing transparency in nursing facility payment data, and giving states greater flexibility in following Medicare drug coverage decisions. It also includers MACPAC's annual, statutorily required report examining payment policy for safety net hospitals.

The Council on Quality Leadership published a Q&A with ACL Acting Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging Alison Barkoff about the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) settings rule in their latest newsletter. The Q&A session explores the settings rule, and how states can implement best practices throughout the transition period for implementation.

On March 15th, the Department of Health and Human Services, through CMS, announced 27 prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part B that may have lower beneficiary coinsurances. From April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023, some people with Medicare who take these drugs may save between $2 and $390 per average dose, depending on the beneficiary’s coverage. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in August 2022, drug companies that raise their drug prices faster than the rate of information are required to pay a rebate to Medicare. Starting April 1, 2023, Medicare beneficiaries may pay a lower coinsurance for certain Part B drugs if the drug’s price increased faster than the rate of inflation in a benchmark quarter.

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center released a new publication that provides a synthesis of intensive focus groups and stakeholder meetings on the transportation experiences of older adults, and younger adults with disabilities. The report is part of NADTC’s continued DEI initiative and gives greater insight into the national transportation landscape for older adults.

The Center for Health Care Strategies recently released several new resources all centering around how to better support older adults with the Multi Sector Plans for Aging (MPA). A multisector plan for aging refers to the multi-year planning and execution process that brings together partners to address the needs of the older adult population in a state. Some of the new resources include strategies for first steps and development of a MPA, advice and best practices from states with MPAs in place, and how family caregiving can help shape a states MPA.