The report by independent policy researcher Robert Mollica provides important information for all parties involved in developing policy and operating programs to provide long term care services and supports for frail elderly Americans. Assisted living/residential care communities are an important and growing residential option under the Medicaid program for seniors needing assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, transferring, and taking medications.

Information on Medicaid payment for assisted living and related policies is of critical importance as states continue struggling to maintain programs during the economic recession. Assisted living coverage for low-income seniors also faces a number of long-standing systemic challenges including that the federal/state Medicaid program does not pay for room and board.

The report describes how states respond to these issues in determining of a variety of policies including whether or how much states supplement payments for room and board; whether states allow families and individuals to supplement Medicaid payments; and whether states allow beneficiaries to share apartments, and under what conditions (abstract from: http://www.ahcancal.org/ncal/news/releases/Pages/StateMedicaidRateSettingMethods.aspx).