TEXANS TO RECEIVE $2.25 BILLION IN GRANTS TO EXTEND MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON REBALANCING DEMONSTRATION

Grant Helps Support Community-Based Alternatives to Institutional Long-Term Care

Washington, DC (Tuesday, July 27, 2010) – Texans with disabilities can now receive care in the comfort of their own homes instead of in long-term institutional care facilities through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Grant. This grant, which is being issued to states this week, encourages states that are not part of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration to apply for grant funding.

The (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration Program initially provided assistance to 31 states that needed help balancing their long-term care systems. Through the Health and Human Services (HHS) Community Living Initiative and the Affordable Care Act more people needing help moving from long-term facilities to their homes will now be able to. An additional $450 million will extend this program through fiscal year 2016; for a total of $2.25 billion. The added money allows 20 more states to apply for grant.

“Giving people with various disabilities the opportunity to be cared for in a familiar surrounding is a good thing. I am very pleased that Texas was among the original 31 states to receive the grant,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “I encourage other states to apply for it.”

On August 11, 2010, CMS will facilitate a national call for all interested MFP demonstration applicants. Beginning in September, CMS will offer a series of technical assistance calls and training webinars to provide instruction to states on grant application development.

A copy of the invitation to apply for the “FY2010 Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Grant Demonstration,” including the application forms and information on the August 11, 2010 national call, can be obtained at www.grants.gov. For more, visit http://www.cms.gov/CommunityServices/20_MFP.asp.  

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.