July 27, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contacts: Lauren Shaham, AAHSA, (202) 508-1219

Statement from Larry Minnix
President & CEO

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging on the Advancement of a "Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration Program"


"We commend the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for advancing a 'Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration' program. This will allow elders who are able to return to the community and receive the services they need, when they need them, in the place they call home.

In particular, we are pleased that the plan allows for payment for home modifications and respite care for family members, two barriers that make it more difficult for an individual to remain in the community as they age.

Last year, we introduced our Five Big Ideas for transforming aging services, which include expanding managed care and affordable housing with services. This plan recognizes that concepts like these offer maximum consumer choice and quality that people can trust."

---

About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,800 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA’s commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.