Research Brief Explains How California Can Improve Long Term Care Through ACA

A recent Scan Foundation brief focused on provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that California can use to improve how the state provides long-term care.  The brief is based on testimony to a state commission and focuses on the CLASS program (voluntary long-term care program) and other provisions that will help caregivers and care recipients.  For example, under ACA, revisions to the 1915(i) Medicaid HCBS State Plan Option permit service packages that are targeted to specific populations.  California's Department of Health Care Services, Rehabilitation, and Mental Health is currently developing a 1915(i) application to extend Home and Community Based Care (HCBS) to residents with traumatic brain injury.   For more information, visit:

Testimony of Scan's Policy Director with Chart Explaining Provisions in ACA
Scan Research Brief

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Report: Older Adults In California Need More To Survive

Recently released Census data found that 43.6 million Americans were living below the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) in 2009, which is $22,050 for a family of four.  While this figure represents over 14% of Americans living in poverty, a recent policy brief suggests a more accurate way to measure the cost of living.  The alternative measure is called the Elder Index and is a county-specific benchmark about the cost of basic needs (food, housing, health care, and transportation).  Using this index, the authors explain that older Californians need $21,763 per year (on average) in order to meet basic living expenses, which is more than twice the amount of money ($10,830) suggested by the FPL.  This finding has important implications for seniors and their caregivers because many government programs use the FPL both for eligibility criteria and in decision-making about how to target services.  The authors report that 60% of the Area Agencies on Aging in California have shifted to using the Elder Index in their strategic plans to keep older adults living in their homes independently.  Legislation has also been introduced (AB 2114) to require California's Department of Aging to utilize the Elder Index.  For more information, visit:

UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
California Legislature

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