Elder Law News

2006 CMS New Freedom Initiative Conference In Baltimore Maryland

On April 10, Dr. Mark McClellen, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was joined by Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging in presenting the keynote address at the Sixth Annual New Freedom Initiative Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. McClellen and Assistant Secretary Carbonell talked about their coordinated approach to implementing the new federal policy direction in long-term care that is embedded in the President’s New Freedom Initiative and designed to empower consumers and honor their desire for community living.

Dr. McClellen discussed the major changes to Medicaid long-term care that were included in the recently enacted Deficit Reduction Act. He gave special highlight to the Money Follows the Person Program, which provides almost $ 2 billion in new funding for home and community-based services. Assistant Secretary Carbonell talked about the new Choices for Independence Program that is the centerpiece of the Administration’s proposal for the Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. The Assistant Secretary noted how Choices builds on the unique mission of the Act, and is designed to strengthen the role of the Act and the Aging Services Network in the future of long- term care.

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	Did You Know?
	Medicaid does not provide medical assistance for all poor persons. Even under the broadest provisions of the Federal statute (except for emergency services for certain persons), the Medicaid program does not provide health care services, even for very poor persons, unless they are in one of the designated eligibility groups. Low income is only one test for Medicaid eligibility; assets and resources are also tested against established thresholds.