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HCBS Overview
Millions of older Americans and individuals with disabilities rely on home and community-based services (HCBS) for essential supports that enable them to live independently in their homes and communities.
Medicaid funds the majority (57%) of HCBS in the U.S., and these services encompass programs that address both medical and daily living needs. Medical services include home health nursing services, physical/occupational/speech therapies, and more, while daily living services include but are not limited to personal care, transportation, meal programs, and adult day centers.
HCBS serve a diverse population, including individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental illness. Without the critical services provided by HCBS, patients’ family members often have to fill in the gaps to provide care. More than 1 in 5 Americans are caregivers who provide vital assistance to family members, including children or adults with disabilities, aging parents, and more.
Included in this toolkit is a suite of advocacy and educational resources to help your organization advocate for HCBS and their critical role within Medicaid.
While strides have been made to provide adequate funding for HCBS during the COVID-19 public health crisis, there is still much work to do. The Modern Medicaid Alliance is committed to advocating for adequate funding for HCBS in order to expand patients’ access to quality services and support the essential workers who provide these services.