The Biden-Harris Administration has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at expanding access to quality care while providing greater support for families and caregivers
This is a press release from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing new rules to improve healthcare access and workforce development in Medicaid and long-term care settings.
Key Points:
- Workforce Development: The Biden-Harris Administration aims to bolster the health care workforce, particularly in nursing homes, by providing financial incentives for nurses to work in these facilities.
- Transparency and Accountability: States will be required to collect and report data on Medicaid payments spent on direct care workers and support staff delivering care in nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities.
- Medicaid Access and Managed Care: The new rules create national standards for improving accountability, transparency, and access to health coverage in Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program).
- Appointment Wait Time Standards: States will be required to have national appointment wait time standards, enforced through "secret shopper" surveys.
- Provider Payment Rates: States will now be required to disclose provider payment rates publicly.
- Beneficiary Advisory Committee: A new beneficiary advisory committee will be established in every state to allow for direct feedback from Medicaid and CHIP recipients.
Goals:
- Improve healthcare access and quality
- Enhance transparency and accountability in Medicaid and long-term care settings
- Support workforce development, particularly in nursing homes
Additional Resources:
- Fact sheets on nursing home staffing standards, Access, and Managed Care can be found on the CMS website.
- Further information is available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.
Overall, this press release highlights the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to strengthen Medicaid and long-term care systems, improve healthcare access and quality, and support workforce development.