AARP Florida to AHCA: Take Federal Funds to Expand Access to Home and Community Based Services

AARP Florida today released the following statement encouraging the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to take advantage of additional funding available through the American Rescue Plan Act.

AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson said, “Florida has a unique opportunity to make things better in our state for the people who need it most. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed structural deficiencies in the network of nursing homes and assisted living facilities that provide institutional long-term care. With the continued loss of consumer confidence in Florida’s long-term care system, boosting home- and community-based services for families could save lives and provide family caregivers with more options to help their loved ones.

“On behalf of AARP Florida’s 2.8 million members and all older Floridians, we encourage AHCA to find creative ways to enhance, expand, or strengthen home- and community-based care under Florida’s Medicaid program. With so many families in need of help with care, now is the time to take advantage of these new federal resources, which can supplement existing state efforts around home- and community-based services.
 
“We appreciate that Florida is taking the time to thoughtfully plan and consider how these resources could help our state. In mid-June, Governor DeSantis requested an extension until July 12 to consider the impacts of using these new funds. With that deadline approaching and so many Floridians in need of home- and community-based care, we hope these new resources will be leveraged quickly to improve lives across the state.”