05/07/2026

Increasing Assisted Living Access through Medicaid, Housing Credits

A new federal bill would make assisted living a required Medicaid benefit for older adults who meet nursing facility level-of-care criteria, a change supporters say could improve access to community-based care while reducing reliance on higher-cost institutional settings. The Assisted Living Affordability, Choice, Community, Empowerment, Savings and Support Act, or ACCESS Act, was introduced April 30 by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and is expected to be introduced in the House by Rep. Max Miller (R-OH). The measure also would direct states to weigh whether affordable housing developments paired with services for older adults could reduce Medicaid long-term services and supports costs when awarding federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

LeadingAge supports the bill and has stressed that states must retain authority over assisted living oversight and quality standards. In comments to McKnight’s Senior Living cited by LeadingAge, Senior Vice President Linda Couch said the proposal could make assisted living more affordable for older adults while also expanding the supply of affordable assisted living through the housing credit program. 

Read the original article from LeadingAge.