State shifts $4.3 million to home care, assisted living for Medicaid-eligible seniors

The state Controlling Board approved earlier this week the shifting of an additional $4.3 million of state funds to home care and assisted living for low-income seniors (Source: “Extra money will speed care to low-income seniors,” Columbus Dispatch, March 9, 2010).

The move comes two weeks after Gov. Ted Strickland authorized nearly $500,000 in state funds, which halved the waiting list for services for Medicaid-eligible seniors. Both the original amount and the new funds are being shifted from money originally earmarked for nursing-home care but it no longer needed. The transfer of funds does not jeopardize the availability of nursing-home care for those who need it.