The policy landscape of assisted living is complex due to oversight by state regulatory and federal agencies (e.g., the Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Veterans Administration). CEAL@UNC aims to inform policymakers, promote policy-relevant research, and involve providers and consumers in related efforts.
One such effort is CEAL@UNC’s summary of each state’s Transition Plan under the Home and Community-Based Services Final Rule, which collates and translates industry-wide changes to assisted living regulations for researchers, practitioners, and consumers.
Current Projects
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule
In 2014, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released final Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) regulations that set forth new requirements under which states may provide home and community-based long-term services and supports, including assisted living. At the request of CMS, CEAL provided two separate reports on the impact of certain provisions of the Final Rule to assisted living and residents, including residents with dementia. Two key requirements at that (1) residents must have access to community services, and (2) service planning must be developed through a person-centered planning process that reflects individual preferences and goals. States were given until 2023 to complete State Transition Plans (STPs) explaining how they will ensure all settings are compliant with the Final Rule, and how they will work with providers to identify and rectify related issues.
CEAL@UNC is developing a summary of each STP that received Final Approval from CMS. This information is helpful for providers to assure they meet regulatory requirements, and for regulators and researchers to compare STPs across states and consider areas for quality improvement.
Policy Engagement Efforts
CEAL@UNC staff and advisory board members regularly meet with state and federal policymakers, as well as provide commentary on proposed legislation and regulations. These efforts are catalogued as part of the website’s News and Events page, and are linked below:
- CEAL@UNC Comments on National Plan on Aging
- CEAL@UNC Submits Statement for the Congressional Record for Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act
- CEAL@UNC Leadership Meets with Senate Special Committee on Aging Staffers
- CEAL@UNC Suggests Actions for Assisted Living Industry to Inform Senate Special Committee Hearing
- CEAL@UNC Submits Statement for the Congressional Record Related to the Hearing on Assisted Living
- CEAL@UNC Comments on CMS Minimum Staffing Standards
- CEAL@UNC Supports Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long-Term Care Act
People interested in learning more about these and other policy engagement effort are encouraged to Contact Us.
