HCBS Relief Act of 2023

HR 6296, the HCBS Relief Act of 2023, increases federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) by boosting the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) by 10 percentage points for participating states during fiscal years 2024-2025. States must apply to use these funds to raise wages and improve working conditions for direct care workers (like home health aides), reduce waiting lists for services, and help individuals transition from nursing facilities back to community care. The bill requires states to spend funds by 2027 on specific activities, including paid leave, hazard pay, and supporting family caregivers, while reporting on outcomes like service access and beneficiary outcomes. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries receiving HCBS and the providers who serve them across participating states.