Groups release blueprint in response to New York's call to overhaul Medicaid spending

Two groups recently unveiled a blueprint for home- and community-based services reform in New York. The report is in response to a call from the Citizens Budget Commission to fundamentally restructure Medicaid spending in the state. 

Independence Care System, which operates a nonprofit Medicaid managed long-term care plan in New York city; and PHI, which works on behalf people who need home and residential care, and caregivers, provided the report. The blueprint addresses four reforms: contain Medicaid costs, simplify the delivery system, improve quality outcomes by providing care management for consumers with complex needs, and stabilize the core home- and community-based services workforce by establishing parity in wages for home care aides.

Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo (D) has called for a “fundamental restructuring of Medicaid.” He promised he would first go to providers of Medicaid services to invite their recommendations, according to the groups.