WASHINGTON—As part of their continued efforts to ensure the success and sustainability of the Medicaid program, the National Governors Association's (NGA) Medicaid working group today advocated for additional reforms that would improve long-term care services for seniors.

In a letter to the Medicaid Commission, governors built upon earlier recommendations – many of which were enacted in the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005—calling for a "combination of policies to slow the growth of Medicaid long-term care costs."

As noted in the letter, "Medicaid has become the nation's largest payer of long-term care services, funding approximately 50 percent of all long-term care spending and nearly two-thirds of the costs for all nursing home residents. . . Medicaid simply cannot continue to afford to be the predominant provider of long-term coverage for seniors."

Governors urged reforms including increased coordination between the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Currently, Medicaid funds many services for beneficiaries who are eligible for both programs. "A holistic approach to the treatment and care management of these individuals will provide improved quality of care, as well as cost savings," the letter states.

Additionally, governors believe certain reforms should be made outside of the Medicaid program to identify other means for funding these services, including expanding incentives for purchasing long-term care insurance. "Medicaid can no longer be the chief financing mechanism for the nation's long-term care costs," the letter states.

Governors urge the Commission to include these recommendations in its final report to Congress. They look forward to a continued working relationship that will ensure increased long-term care services for seniors.

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The National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation's governors and one of Washington, D.C.'s most respected public policy organizations. NGA provides governors with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the administration, to developing policy reports on innovative state programs and hosting networking seminars for state government executive branch officials. The NGA Center for Best Practices focuses on state innovations and best practices on issues that range from education and health to technology, welfare reform, and the environment. For more information about NGA and the Center for Best Practices, please visit www.nga.org.