The ACCESS Act would make services in assisted living residences a required Medicaid benefit for eligible people who meet state requirements and need care at a hospital or nursing-facility level. Medicaid’s estimated average per-person cost for all services in assisted living must be no greater than the estimated cost of care in a hospital or nursing facility. The bill would also give low-income housing tax credit allocation plans a selection criterion for projects that provide long-term services and supports for older adults in non-institutional settings. Most provisions would take effect January 1, 2027; the housing tax credit change would apply to allocations made after that date.
If you qualify for Medicaid and meet your state’s requirements, the bill would require coverage for qualifying services in an assisted living residence. States that need legislation to comply could have additional time. The housing provision adds a selection criterion for certain projects; it does not guarantee that a particular project will receive a tax credit.
The bill gives no dollar estimates for expenses. It requires that estimated average Medicaid costs for people receiving services in assisted living be no greater than the estimated costs if they received services in a hospital or nursing facility.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.