Most older adults say they want to remain at home as they age. An important federal program and rule help make this possible: the Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program and Spousal Impoverishment Protections, which are both set to expire on December 31, 2023, if Congress does not act.
A new Justice in Aging Fact Sheet, Make the Medicaid Money Follows the Person Program Permanent, explains the importance of securing permanent federal funding for the MFP program, which provides critical assistance to states to support older adults and people with disabilities in moving out of institutions and back into their communities. Through enhanced federal funding, states provide a wide range of support to MFP enrollees. The program has helped over 107,000 people transition back into their communities, including nearly 40,000 people age 65 and older.
The Spousal Impoverishment Protection is a Medicaid eligibility rule that helps married older adults and adults with disabilities remain living at home and connected to their communities. This rule helps ensure that married couples can continue to live together and that the spouse who does not need home and community-based services (HCBS) can continue to pay for rent, food, and medication if their spouse needs HCBS. Read more about the Spousal Impoverishment Protections in this Fact Sheet, Make the Expanded Spousal Impoverishment Protection Permanent.
Now is the time for Congress to permanently authorize MFP and Spousal Impoverishment Protections to ensure older adults and people with disabilities can age at home and give states the assurance they need to invest in these critical services.
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