While Gov. Rick Scott continues to deride the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare as he disparagingly calls it, Florida is one of 13 states that will receive additional federal grant funding under the Act, to assist in moving Medicaid beneficiaries out of institutions and into their own homes or other community settings.
Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced today that Florida will receive $4.2 million in the first year of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) grant program and $35.7 million by the year 2016.
Sebelius said that the thirteen states would receive more than $45 million in the Money Follows the Person (MFP) grants, one of two programs under the Affordable Care Act supporting this goal. Set to expire at the end of fiscal year 2011, the MFP demonstration program is being extended for an additional five years. The 13 states will receive more than $625 million over the 5-year period and join 29 States and the District Columbia already operating MFP programs.
The MFP program provides individuals living in a nursing home or other institution new opportunities to live in the community with the services and supports they need. Groups benefiting from these home-and-community based programs include the elderly, persons with intellectual, developmental and/or physical disabilities, mental illness or those diagnosed with several of these conditions.
Other states receiving federal grant funding on Wednesday to support community living include Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Vermont and West Virginia.
