“The Potential Health Care Costs And Resource Use Associated With COVID-19 In The United States,” by Sarah M. Bartsch, et al., Health Affairs   Quote: “With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, one of the major concerns is the burden COVID-19 will impose on the United States (U.S.) health care system. We developed a Monte Carlo simulation model representing the U.S. population and what can happen to each person who gets infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). We estimate resource use and direct medical costs per infection and at the national level, with various “attack rates” (infection
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“Coronavirus to accelerate Social Security, Medicare depletion dates, U.S. officials say,” by David Lawder, Reuters   Quote: “The 2020 Social Security and Medicare trustees reports released on Wednesday did not reflect projections from the coronavirus pandemic but showed continued long-term funding shortfalls for retirement, disability and seniors’ healthcare benefits. … Trump administration officials said that while they have made no official projections on the effects of the virus, if a 15% reduction in employment and revenues persists over the full 2020 year, they expect those depletion dates will move forward.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term
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“What to Do About Your Relatives in Long-Term Care During the Coronavirus Pandemic,” by Catherine Roberts, Consumer Reports   Quote: “The decision can be fraught with complications. Is being on lockdown in a nursing home safer than being in an imperfectly quarantined home? Can family and friends provide everything that’s needed? And what are the financial implications of bringing someone home from a nursing home? Of course, there’s no one correct answer to these questions.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Well, actually, there is one correct answer to the last of those questions.
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“White House: Senior Care Facility Visits to Remain Banned Until Final Phase of COVID-19 Reopen Plan,” by Alex Spanko, Skilled Nursing News   Quote: “Blanket restrictions on non-essential visits to senior living and care properties should remain in effect until the very last phase of the federal government’s plan to gradually reopen public places and restart the economy, the White House announced this week. … That rule will likely be in effect for many more months, as the federal ‘Opening Up America Again’ … does not call for lifting the bans until the third and final phase.” LTC Comment (from
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“COVID-19 Issues and Medicaid Policy Options for People Who Need Long-Term Services and Supports,” by MaryBeth Musumeci and Priya Chidambaram, Kaiser Family Foundation   Quote: “The COVID-19 pandemic has greater implications for people who utilize long-term supports and services (LTSS), including seniors and people with disabilities & chronic illnesses, compared to the general population. This issue brief presents state-level data on LTSS users, including the 2.5 million people who receive HCBS through waivers, 1.3 million people in nursing homes, and 800,000 people in assisted living facilities. This brief also explores key issues and potential state and federal policy responses for LTSS users
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