Joint Letter to Congress Regarding Additional Legislative Requests to Respond to COVID Pandemic

On Wednesday, April 15, ADvancing States and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) sent a letter to Congress outlining additional legislative requests to assist state aging, disability, and LTSS agencies as they respond to the COVID pandemic. Specifically, the letter requests:

• Further increase the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) to a total of 12%;
• Allow states to provide Medicaid retainer payments to additional provider categories and for extended periods of time as warranted by the emergency;
• Provide additional supports to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities have access to food;
• Delay the CURES Act Electronic Visit Verification penalties;
• Delay the proposed Medicaid Financial Accountability Regulation (MFAR); and
• Provide additional resources for Adult Protective Services to respond to abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Click here to read the full letter.