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On March 26, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced the release of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Toolkit. The purpose of the toolkit is to tell NIDILRR's story, including NIDILRR’s history, role, framework, work, publications, and resources. Although the information is available through the NIDILRR webpage, grantee websites, and several publications, this toolkit provides the information in one place. The toolkit is intended to be used as an educational resource for stakeholders who may benefit from learning about NIDILRR and its resources and as a communication tool for stakeholders who want to inform others about NIDILRR’s work and resources.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a comprehensive guide titled "Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis," which provides essential information for individuals and families navigating life after a dementia diagnosis. Covering health care planning, financial considerations, long-term care planning, and end-of-life planning, this resource underscores the importance of early preparation. It also offers detailed guidance on advance directives, financial planning tools, strategies for long-term care, and tips and checklists that can help individuals get started on what to do after an Alzheimer’s or related dementia diagnosis.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a statement to raise awareness of consumer tax implications related to Marketplace coverage now that tax filing season is underway for 2023 tax returns...

Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. ACL will explore the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues.

On March 21, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) introduced a new resource aimed at boosting the participation of people with disabilities in competitive integrated employment. The Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Transformation Hub brings together resources from across the federal government to provide practical guidance, policy information, and evidence-based best practices for people with disabilities, their families, employers, employment service providers, and state agencies. Competitive integrated employment ensures that people with disabilities are paid competitive wages and work in environments where the majority of employees do not have disabilities.

The Senate Special Committee on Aging recently released a request for information (RFI) seeking input from stakeholders relating to the impact of hoarding disorder (HD) on older adults. Hoarding disorder (HD) is a chronic and progressive condition that leads people to accumulate more objects than their homes can accommodate. HD impacts people of all ages. However, the prevalence of hoarding appears to be significantly greater for older adults (roughly 6.2%) compared to younger adults (roughly 2%). The Senate Special Committee on Aging is charged with studying “any and all matters pertaining to problems and opportunities of older people,” including problems related to health, housing, care, and assistance...

On March 8, KFF released a policy watch discussing a new proposal in the Health and Human Services (HHS) Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025 that aims to expand access to adult dental care in Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans. The HHS Benefit and Payment Parameters Notice for 2025 proposes to remove the prohibition on the classification of routine adult dental health coverage as an essential health benefit (EHB). Under this proposed rule, states would have the option of classifying adult dental care as an EHB. If a state chose to classify adult dental health as an EHB, the state (or the federal government as a fallback) would be required to enforce the same ACA protections for adult dental coverage that apply to other EHBs...

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) are launching a pilot project to expand data sharing between the two agencies to simplify income verification for older adults applying for or renewing federal housing assistance. The HUD-SSA pilot project is part of a cross-government initiative to increase equitable access to government programs by improving customer service and reducing administrative burdens.

On March 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a report describing best practices in implementing the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration. Since its authorization in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171), the MFP Demonstration has provided nearly $6 billion to 43 states and the District of Columbia to improve access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for Medicaid-eligible individuals and helped more than 107,128 long-term residents transition from institutions to the community. Developed in collaboration with states, providers, and MFP participants, this report identifies effective state strategies for implementing the key components of the MFP Demonstration...

On March 5, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) jointly launched a cross-government public inquiry into private-equity and other corporations’ involvement in health care. According to the press release, private equity firms and other corporate owners are increasingly involved in health care system transactions, and, at times, those transactions may lead to a maximizing of profits at the expense of quality care. The cross-government inquiry seeks to understand how certain health care market transactions may increase consolidation and generate profits for firms while threatening patients’ health, workers’ safety, quality of care...