Decoding H.R.1: What’s in the Law and the Potential Impact for Older Adults

Session Description:

As questions about federal Medicaid reform grow, Community Navigation professionals and aging network staff play a critical role in helping older adults understand what recent policy changes may mean for their coverage and services. This session will begin with a brief overview of Medicare and Medicaid, highlighting key differences between the two programs. The webinar will then review the major Medicaid provisions included in H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

We will explore how states may approach the new federal requirements differently and discuss anticipated impacts on older adults who rely on Medicaid for coverage and long-term services and supports, as well as their caregivers. The webinar will conclude with practical tips for directing individuals to state-specific resources to better understand how their state plans to move forward.

Learning objectives:

• Describe basic fundamentals of Medicaid and Medicare programs, and identify resources for additional learning

• Review Medicaid provisions of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)

• Discuss the anticipated impacts of H.R. 1 on older adults and people with disabilities who receive Medicaid services, and their caregivers

Speakers:  

Name: Rachel Neely, LMSW

Email Address: rneely@advancingstates.org

Company: ADvancing States

Title: Senior Director of Medicaid Policy

Bio: 

Rachel Neely serves as Senior Director of Medicaid Policy at ADvancing States. Ms. Neely’s key areas of expertise include analysis and implementation of federal regulations; self-direction; stakeholder engagement; Medicaid LTSS program design; and managed long-term service and supports (MLTSS). Ms. Neely worked for several years at the state level in Texas as a Senior Policy Advisor for Medicaid and CHIP Services at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. During her tenure at Texas HHSC, she served as policy lead for Consumer Directed Services, the state’s self-direction option, as a subject matter expert for the 1915(k) Community First Choice (CFC) policy, and as project lead for the implementation of the federal HCBS Settings Rule.

Ms. Neely holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Name: Abby Holm, MSW

Email Address: aholm@advancingstates.org

Company: ADvancing States

Title: Senior Policy Associate

Bio: 

Abby Holm serves as a Senior Policy Associate at ADvancing States. Ms. Holm brings more than 20 years of experience in state Medicaid programs supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities, with deep expertise in leveraging Medicaid authorities to strengthen and expand HCBS. Her areas of focus include self-directed services and payment to legally responsible individuals and families. Ms. Holm has facilitated multiple stakeholder groups and state-led committees to drive policy innovation and program implementation. Prior to joining ADvancing States, she worked for over 15 years in Montana administering Medicaid HCBS programs. 

Ms. Holm holds a master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in aging policy and administration from the University of Washington.