Caregiving

Community-based care models can help close the gap between what older adults can afford and the long-term care they need to stay in their homes. This joint AARP Public Policy Institute and ATI Advisory report offers a program replicability framework and three in-depth profiles, with practical lessons for state and local leaders working to sustain care options outside of Medicaid.

Family caregivers are a foundational, yet under-recognized, part of the US health care system. As the older population grows, the need to recognize them as part of the health care team and provide them with support increases. Caregiver Training Services under Medicare represent a new avenue for supporting family caregivers.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for states to reshape rural healthcare delivery. By aligning with HHS’s strategic goals and investing in sustainable infrastructure, states can achieve measurable improvements in population health and strengthen their healthcare workforce.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) requires certain Medicaid beneficiaries to complete at least 80 hours per month of employment, training, or other activities to maintain coverage. While the law does not appear intended to impose these requirements on family caregivers, the way it is implemented could inadvertently do so if details are not addressed carefully. Unless federal and state regulators act thoughtfully and carefully, unpaid family caregivers -- who are already propping up a fragile healthcare system -- may find that the implementation of this new law penalizes them for the very work that keeps their loved ones out of costly hospitals and nursing homes.

Approximately 14 million adults in the United States need long-term services and supports (LTSS) to help with their cognitive and functional needs. How many of these individuals have access to LTSS? What are their experiences like? What are the disparities by race and ethnicity, gender, age, and sexual identity?

10% of dual eligible individuals report living with a serious illness, according to ATI Advisory’s (ATI) analysis of the 2018-2021 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) using a narrow definition of serious illness. While this means that 10% of dual eligible individuals can potentially benefit from palliative care, much fewer actually receive such services. This brief highlights opportunities to promote access to palliative care for dual eligible individuals.