Argentum’s State Partner, the Indiana Assisted Living Association (IALA), played a pivotal advocacy role in the passage of HB 1277 which will among other provisions require the state to apply for a new, separate Medicaid waiver for assisted living services for individuals aged 60 and over who meet nursing facility level of care requirements by September 1, 2026. Upon approval, waiver slots for assisted living will be transferred from existing waivers to the new one, and a stakeholder work group will be established to guide its development.
The Act also introduces a cost limit for certain HCBS recipients, aligning it with the institutional cost of nursing facility services, effective until July 1, 2028. The legislation further clarifies reimbursement policies for assisted living providers, prohibits certain facility requirements (such as mandatory private rooms or specific kitchenette features), and preserves the scope of services available under previous waivers.
IALA Executive Director Becky Bartle said, “Real legislative progress is rarely the work of a single voice—it is forged through the unity of associations that choose collaboration to achieve a common goal. Their combined strength not only amplifies influence but transforms possibility into meaningful outcomes. Through heartfelt personal testimony and solid grassroots efforts, IALA members worked alongside industry peers to witness the success of 1277.”
Kudos to IALA for their advocacy which should dramatically address waiting lists for nursing home eligible seniors whose needs can be met in more homelike and far less costly assisted living settings.