Medicaid and Title IV-E funding in the ARRA 2009
NASHP would like to share a fact sheet we received from CMS providing guidance on increased Medicaid and Title IV-E funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to helping to promote economic recovery through our implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) . The legislation authorizes an estimated $87 billion in additional federal funding for States, in the form of a temporary increase in the funds that the Federal government contributes toward Medicaid and Title IV-E programs. This investment will protect people whose eligibility for Medicaid might otherwise be at risk if State budget shortfalls resulted in Medicaid cutbacks. This investment will also generate considerable state economic activity, jobs and wages.
To provide you with additional guidance CMS attached a fact sheet along with questions and answers.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
