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.