NASHP Conference Highlights State Strategies on Aging, LTSS Workforce
In its recap of NASHP's 2026 annual conference, NASHP reports that aging policy was a central theme, with sessions covering direct care workforce shortages, home- and community-based services (HCBS), nursing homes, and palliative care. Speakers from ACL, Ohio's aging department, and state officials from Arizona and Iowa discussed strengthening caregiver supports, leveraging assistive technology, and "future-proofing" aging systems as the 65+ population grows faster than any other age group. The piece cites data showing one-third of Medicaid spending goes to LTSS, over 8 million beneficiaries receive HCBS ($146 billion annually, 60%+ of Medicaid LTSS spending), and 40 states maintain HCBS waitlists. No new policy or funding action was announced; the article summarizes conference discussion and expert commentary on long-term system challenges.