Approximately nine million Americans are eligible for both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. These individuals, also known as “dual eligibles,” are among our nation’s lowest-income and chronically ill citizens. Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced initiatives, funded by the Affordable Care Act, that will give States more resources and flexibility to adopt innovative new practices and provide better, more coordinated care for dual eligibles.

As Director of the Office on Disability, I am very excited to be able to report significant progress in the implementation of provisions that will expand opportunities for persons with disabilities to live in their communities. Within the department, we are taking the lead in coordinating the Community Living Initiative, which will allow more persons with disabilities who wish to live in their own homes to do so. A regulation released today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will make it considerably easier for states to provide home and community based services in the Medicaid program, allowing people with disabilities to stay in their homes and contribute to their communities.