The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the vulnerable populations who need long-term care, including those living in U.S. long-term care facilities. Throughout the pandemic, long-term care residents have accounted for more than a third of all U.S. deaths, despite representing only 1% of the population. As of March 2021, nearly one in 12 people who live in U.S. long-term care homes have died from COVID-19.¹ In addition, people who use home- and community-based care experienced fewer provider options and reduced access to needed services, as some providers permanently closed and in-person appointments declined.

Although the pandemic put a spotlight on the problems and challenges, long-term care was becoming a pressing societal issue even prior to COVID-19, with the number of people living with disabilities or chronic diseases radically increasing demand. The 65-and-over population is projected to increase 50% by 2030, and those over age 85 are the fastest-growing segment of older Americans.

In a new webinar—the sixth in our “Ten Health Care Imperatives for the Decade Ahead” series—Manatt Health and a panel of industry leaders examine the effects of COVID-19 on populations using long-term care, particularly on racial and ethnic populations. The session will explore the pandemic’s impact on long-term care—and the opportunities it created to rethink the system and chart a new policy path. This compelling program will: 

• Present new care delivery solutions, including new home-based care models and increased use of technologies that enable people to maintain their autonomy with greater private- and public-sector support services.
• Discuss key strategies for the coming decade, including expanding innovative home- and community-based services through Medicaid and better integrating long-term care with the rest of the health care system.
• Share lessons learned about the effects of COVID-19 on the long-term care system, including long-standing challenges facing the long-term care workforce.
• Discuss challenges and opportunities related to long-term care financing and the implications for meeting future demand and relieving the pressure on Medicaid.
• Review innovative care delivery and staffing models.
• Highlight state activities around the expansion of home- and community-based care, as well as efforts to improve care quality and outcomes while containing Medicaid costs.
• Describe recent federal efforts to encourage increased federal and state investments in the long-term care system.

Facilitator: Stephanie Anthony, Senior Advisor, Manatt Health

Panelists:

• Carol Raphael, Senior Advisor, Manatt Health
• Camille Dobson, Deputy Executive Director, ADvancing States
• Howard Gleckman, Senior Fellow, The Urban Institute
• Bea Rector, Director, Home and Community Services Division, Aging and Long Term Support Administration, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Date and Time
Wednesday, June 9, 2021

If you would like to receive an audio transcript of this webinar due to accessibility issues, please email us at webinars@manatt.com.

This program does not constitute legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. Views expressed by presenters are strictly their own and should not be construed to be the views of Manatt or attributed to Manatt.