New Freedom Initiative Proposals Transmitted to Congress
August, 2005

New Freedom Initiative Language
New Freedom Initiative Summary
New Freedom Initiative Letter to The Honorable Richard B. Cheney
New Freedom Initiative Letter to The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert

Today, Secretary Leavitt transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate a draft bill entitled the "New Freedom Initiative Medicaid Demonstrations Act of 2005."

The New Freedom Initiative would establish several demonstration projects including: Money Follows the Person Rebalancing demonstration, demonstration of respite for caregivers of adults, respite for caregivers of children with substantial disabilities, and home and community-based alternatives to psychiatric residential treatment facilities for children. Additional provisions would permit states the option of providing Medicaid home and community-based services for up to 90 days during the time that final Medicaid eligibility is being determined and the removal of disincentives for individuals with disabilities from returning to work by protecting the Medicaid coverage of spouses, if those spouses also have a disability.

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