government
HHS, HUD to provide health and rental assistance
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 17, 2011
Two federal agencies have joined forces to provide a combination of health care, rental assistance and other support to enable nonelderly Americans with disabilities to leave nursing homes and live independently.
The Depts. of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development announced Jan. 6 that $7.5 million in rental assistance vouchers will help nearly 1,000 individuals with disabilities rent private apartments. In October 2010, HUD awarded $33 million to support a first round of 4,300 vouchers. Individuals also can receive health care support through HHS' "Money Follows the Person" grant program, which allows individuals who qualify for Medicaid-funded nursing home or other institutional care to receive such services in community settings.
Now in its fourth year, the MFP program has made it possible for almost 12,000 individuals to live more independent lives, HHS said.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/01/17/gvbf0117.htm.