Providers urge H.13 to require annual Medicaid rate reviews for home and community‑based care, warn workforce at risk

Providers that deliver home and community‑based services told the House Human Services Committee they strongly support H.13, a bill that would require the secretary of human services to determine reasonable and adequate Medicaid payment rates for home and community‑based providers. Witnesses said annual rate studies and inflation adjustments are needed to address long‑running underfunding, staffing shortages and program closures.

Mary Hayden, executive director of the Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging, told lawmakers AAAs provide case management and other supports that let older Vermonters and people with disabilities remain at home. “The historical underfunding of this workforce and this worker shortage has brought us nearly to the brink of a crisis,” Hayden said, adding that annual, objective rate studies would help the state identify gaps and avoid downstream…