H.R.1 made significant changes to how states finance their Medicaid programs and added eligibility restrictions such as work requirements and more frequent redeterminations.
Together, these changes will result in fewer people enrolled in Medicaid and fewer resources for states to fund the program. At the same time, the Trump Administration has raised concerns about fraud in some Medicaid-funded home and community-based programs.
Due to both fiscal and political pressure, states might respond by pulling back on added services in their Medicaid programs—such as support for medical respite care for people experiencing homelessness. Eliminating these services could have unintended negative impacts on broader goals related to cost-effectiveness and reducing burdens on hospitals.
This fact sheet describes why states, hospitals, and payors should continue supporting medical respite care programs.
