Overview

States play a leading role in the design and delivery of services for the elderly and disabled. They have primary  responsibility for administering numerous programs and for regulating providers that deliver the services. States are also major financers of long-term care. As the demand for services increases, states will be devoting even greater attention to long-term care financing, supply, and regulation.

While the aged, blind, and disabled accounted for only 26% of all persons served through Medicaid, Medicaid payments made on their behalf accounted for 71% of program payments.

People with disabilities are the fastest growing Medicaid eligibility group.  Between 1998 and 2010, expenditures for people with disabilities are expected to increase 9%.  During the same period, expenditures for the aged are expected to increase by 7%.

Over the next 30 years, the number of Americans aged 65 and over, and the proportion of those individuals aged 85 and over, is expected to double.

Focus of Center Activities

The NGA Center will:

• Coordinate a center-wide initiative on aging to address long-term care, Medicare, housing, transportation, and workforce issues;   
  
  
• provide technical assistance to states as they design services and systems for the aging and disabled;
  
  
• track and monitor state implementation of systems change initiatives; and
  
  
• report on state development of pharmaceutical programs for the elderly and disabled.

Related Links:

• Challenges and Opportunities for States in Providing Long-Term Care for the Elderly (pdf)