Reports

The Research & Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities has released a report on the effects of social isolation and loneliness have on people with disabilities living in rural and urban areas. Findings from the research report include: -People with disabilities report more than double the rates of social isolation and loneliness than people without disabilities -Rural people with disabilities report significantly fewer social connections but similar rates of loneliness compared to urban people with disabilities -Structural barriers related to employment and transportation may play a role in social isolation and loneliness disparities among people with disabilities

With older populations growing faster in rural areas than urban areas, new research focuses on health care access, health-related behaviors, and health conditions among rural versus urban older adults, and on racial and ethnic disparities within each group. Adults ages 50 and older living in rural areas are more likely to forgo medical care due to cost than those living in urban areas. Additionally, Black and Hispanic older adults living in rural areas are much more likely than their White counterparts to skip medical care due to cost.

This issue brief summarizes and shares quantitative and qualitative findings from the Aging and Disability Information and Referral/Assistance Technology Short Survey to inform understanding of key technology developments and highlight approaches that may be useful in the current situation or in future disaster situations. This survey, administered by ADvancing States’ National Information and Referral Support Center in 2021, gathered data in several key areas including service modality and call volume; social media; the resource database; Information Technology systems; remote work; and new technologies for staff and client engagement.

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center released the report of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Transportation Survey, which documents the needs and experiences of older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers from historically marginalized and underserved communities.

This report analyzes the health care access, health-related behaviors, and health conditions among older adults living in rural areas. The report reveals health disparities among rural older adults who are members of racial and ethnic minorities. The report also reveals disparities in prevalence of serious health conditions and health care access between urban and rural older adults.

The 21st annual Medicaid Budget Survey results were released this week. The survey produces information on Medicaid spending, enrollment and policy, with a special focus this year on COVID-19 policies. Two reports were released: “States Respond to COVID-19 Challenges but Also Take Advantage of New Opportunities to Address Long-Standing Issues: Results from a 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey for State Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022” and “Medicaid Enrollment & Spending Growth: FY 2021 & 2022”.

This report explores the role played by managed care organizations delivering Medicaid long term services and support programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report looks at the roles and responsibilities of governments, nursing homes, and MLTSS plans and argues their role in the pandemic response as well as the role of federal funding and data use, should all be examined further to inform future policy.

The study examined self-reported data from over 10,200 Medicaid HCBS beneficiaries across 13 states using the NCI-AD survey. Unmet needs for Medicaid HCBS were consistently and significantly associated with poor health outcomes (emergency department visits, hospital stays, and preventative care) and community living outcomes (community participation, relationships with family and friends, satisfaction with how time is spent during the day, and sense of control in life.

ACL released a report on the 5th year of data collected by the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS). NAMRS is the only comprehensive national initiative compiling data on the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults and adults with disabilities as reported to state adult protective services (APS). In this report, the APS TARC (Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center) began to look at the potential impact of the COVID-19 on adult maltreatment.

NAMD has released a report on leveraging American Rescue Plan Act investments to drive lasting transformation for people with complex needs. In summer 2021, NAMD convened an Executive Working Group of state Medicaid LTSS experts and national thought leaders to identify a framework of options that states could use to respond to this opportunity to improve and strengthen these services. The framework explores how states can meet the needs of individuals to maximize their health.