DOH last week submitted a request to CMS to extend and renew its 1115 Medicaid waiver. The proposal includes the creation of new VMOs to support the transition to VBP, requires VMOs to engage in specified LTC promising practices, and continues training funds for LTC workforce.

DOH has posted the social determinants of health interventions approved to date for VBP arrangements with managed care plans, and LeadingAge National has unveiled a toolkit for evaluating Medicare Advantage supplemental benefit opportunities.

DOH has scheduled an additional session in New York City on Jan. 9th.

The first meeting of the MRT 2 highlighted growth in LTC spending, and an LTC Advisory Group was named. Public hearings began with meetings in New York City last week and Rochester this week.

In comments submitted to DOH on its draft application to extend and renew the DSRIP program, LeadingAge NY requested the allocation of 40 percent of DSRIP 2.0 funds to the LTPAC sector for purposes such as workforce recruitment and retention, implementation of innovative models of care, and investment in telehealth and health information technology.

The draft amendment proposal released by DOH on Sept. 17^th seeks a four-year extension and renewal that would invest $8 billion in DSRIP Performance, Workforce Development, Social Determinants of Health, and the Interim Access Assurance Fund and identifies long-term care as a "high-need priority area."