COVID-19: the Time for Collaboration Between Long-Term Services and Supports, Health Care Systems, and Public Health is Now

Published In

The Milbank Quarterly

Document Type

Citation

Publication Date

2-16-2021

Subjects

COVID-19 (Disease) -- United States -- Health care, Long-term care of the sick, Aging population

Abstract

Policy Points To address systemic problems amplified by COVID-19, we need to restructure US long-term services and supports (LTSS) as they relate to both the health care systems and public health systems. We present both near-term and long-term policy solutions. Seven near-term policy recommendations include requiring the uniform public reporting of COVID-19 cases in all LTSS settings; identifying and supporting unpaid caregivers; bolstering protections for the direct care workforce; increasing coordination between public health departments and LTSS agencies and providers; enhancing collaboration and communication across health, LTSS, and public health systems; further reducing barriers to telehealth in LTSS; and providing incentives to care for vulnerable populations. Long-term reform should focus on comprehensive workforce development, comprehensive LTSS financing reform, and the creation of an age-friendly public health system.

Rights

© 2021 Milbank Memorial Fund

DOI

10.1111/1468-0009.12500

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/35329

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