Maine to get $21 million from Affordable Care Act to help keep seniors and people with disabilities living at home

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says funding is example of how ACA is helping Maine families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 14, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Maine will get $21.2 million under the Affordable Care Act to help seniors and people with disabilities get longterm care at home.

“If people can get the care they need at home, they can remain more independent and continue to live in their communities,” Pingree said. “It’s better for the individual and in most cases results in lower health care costs.”

Maine is the 16th state to receive funding under the program, called the Balanced Incentive Program. Maine had to demonstrate that less than 50% of Medicaid (MaineCare) expenditures for long term care were currently being spent on home and community-based care but with the additional funding that portion would rise to above 50%. The program is designed to encourage states to make sure people stay in their homes and communities aslong as possible.

“Taking advantage of this expanded federal funding under the ACA is a great way to provide better health care for Maine people without putting further demands on a very tight state budget,” Pingree said. “It’s a concrete example of how the health care reform law can help people here in Maine.”