Sens. Portman (R-OH) & Cantwell (D-WA) introduce the EMPOWER Care Act to reauthorize Money Follows the Person

U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Rob Portman (R-OH) have introduced the Ensuring Medicaid Provides Opportunities for Widespread Equity, Resources, and Care Act – or EMPOWER Care Act – to help Medicaid beneficiaries receive long-term services and support in their community or home and help save taxpayer dollars in the process. The bill would renew and expand the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Program, which promotes community-based care and services and is as a sterling example of an initiative that improves patient outcomes while saving money for state and federal taxpayers.

The program extended in Cantwell and Portman’s legislation provides states with funding and flexibility to help Medicaid beneficiaries, including the elderly and people with disabilities, transition from institutional settings to home and community-based long-term care settings.

ANCOR Government Relations staff has led the national disability community in developing the bill and its bipartisan introduction.