--- title: Argentum Recommends CMS Withdraw Proposed HCBS Rule description: Argentum submitted comments recommending CMS withdraw a proposed rule on Home and Community Based Services access and workforce initiatives. --- [Argentum Logo\_RGB2](https://argentum.org) Search - [About Argentum](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/) - [Leadership](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/leadership/) - [State Partners](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/state-partners/) - [Membership](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/membership/) - [Media Kit](https://www.argentum.org/advertising-and-sponsorship/) - [Advocacy](https://argentum.org/advocacy/) - [Federal Advocacy](https://argentum.org/advocacy/federal-advocacy/) - [State Advocacy](https://argentum.org/advocacy/state-advocacy/) - [Silver PAC](https://argentum.org/advocacy/silver-pac/) - [Advocacy News](https://www.argentum.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/) - [Events](https://argentum.org/events/) - [Senior Living Executive Conference](https://conference.argentum.org) - [Webinars](https://www.argentum.org/webinars/) - [Executive Director Leadership Institute](https://edli.argentum.org/) - [Chief Executive Summit](https://argentum.org/events/chief-executive-summit/) - [Advocacy Fund Golf Classic](https://www.argentum.org/golfclassic/) - [Senior Living Symposium](https://symposium.argentum.org/) - [Public Policy Institute & Fly-In](https://argentum.org/events/public-policy-institute-fly-in/) - [Media](https://argentum.org/media/) - [Coronavirus Toolkit](https://www.argentum.org/coronavirustoolkit/) - [Press Releases](https://argentum.org/press-releases/) - [Senior Living Executive Magazine](https://argentum.org/media/senior-living-executive-magazine/) - [Argentum Daily](https://argentum.org/media/argentum-e-newsletter/) - [Senior Living Professional](https://www.argentum.org/senior-living-professional/) - [Members in the News](https://argentum.org/topic/members-in-the-news/) - [Search by Topic](https://argentum.org/media/search-by-topic/) - [Research & Initiatives](https://argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/) - [Senior Living Impact](https://seniorlivingimpact.org/) - [Senior Living Works](https://seniorliving.works) - [Senior Living IQ](https://seniorlivingiq.org) - [Women in Leadership](https://www.argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/women-in-leadership/) - [Argentum Quarterly](https://argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/argentum-quarterly/) - [Awards Programs](https://www.argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/awards-recognition-programs/) - [LEAD Program](https://www.argentum.org/lead-program/) - [Standards for Senior Living](https://www.argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/standards-for-senior-living/) - [Professional Development](https://argentum.org/professional-development/) - [Senior Living Supplier Directory](https://seniorlivingsupplierdirectory.com/) - [Senior Living Career Center](http://seniorlivingcareers.argentum.org/) - [Certificate Programs and Certification](https://argentum.org/professional-development/professional-certification/) - [Resource Library](https://www.argentum.org/professional-development/resource-library/) - [Executive Roundtables](https://argentum.org/professional-development/executive-roundtables/) # Argentum Recommends CMS Withdraw Proposed HCBS Rule - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Argentum submitted a [comment letter](https://www.argentum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Argentum_CMS_HCBS_July2023_Comments_Final.pdf) last Monday in response to a [proposed rule](https://www.regulations.gov/document/CMS-2023-0070-0001) issued in May by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), intended to increase transparency and accountability, standardize data and monitoring, and create opportunities for states to promote active beneficiary engagement to improve access to care, including in home and community-based services (HCBS) programs. [![CMS_July2023_Comments](https://blog.argentum.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CMS_July2023_Comments.png?width=2541&height=2240&name=CMS_July2023_Comments.png)](https://www.argentum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Argentum_CMS_HCBS_July2023_Comments_Final.pdf) We recommended that CMS withdraw the proposed rule and instead work with stakeholders to identify other approaches, particularly by addressing the inadequacy of state Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted living and similar residential communities participating in HCBS programs. In our comments, we noted that while we are supportive of the broader goals to improve access to care, including addressing the shortage of direct care workers, we are concerned that CMS’s proposal to require that 80% of state payment for certain HCBS be allocated to compensation for direct care workers is not the right approach to address these workforce shortages or increase access to services for Medicaid beneficiaries. As proposed, it is ambiguous whether this policy would apply to assisted living or similar residential facilities that provide HCBS under state Medicaid programs. Additionally, we expressed concern that without also addressing inadequate reimbursement rates, the proposal to only allow providers 20% of Medicaid payments to address all other expenses will make it very difficult, if not impossible, for these communities to continue current Medicaid operations. This could force communities to either reduce HCBS services they are currently providing, or cease participation in the Medicaid program altogether, which ultimately would have a negative impact on direct care workforce participation and Medicaid beneficiary access to care. Argentum State Partners contributed to the development of these comments. Topics: [HCBS](https://blog.argentum.org/topic/hcbs), [Regulatory Comments](https://blog.argentum.org/topic/regulatory-comments), [CMS](https://blog.argentum.org/topic/cms) ### Written by [Argentum](https://blog.argentum.org/author/argentum) ## Stay Connected Get updates on the latest news in the senior living community. ### Footer Newsletter - [Contact Us](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/leadership/staff/) - [Terms of Use](https://argentum.org/terms-of-use/) - [Privacy Policy](https://argentum.org/privacy-policy/) - [Trademarks](https://argentum.org/trademarks/) - [Senior Living Supplier Directory](https://seniorlivingsupplierdirectory.com/) - [Senior Living Career Center](https://https://seniorlivingcareers.argentum.org/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.argentum.org/cookie-policy/) [![Review](https://www.argentum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GPTW-2020-2021-Graphic.png)](http://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7011541)1650 King Street, Suite 602 Alexandria, VA 22314 [(703) 894-1805](tel:703-894-1805) Argentum is the leading national trade association serving companies that own, operate, and support professionally managed senior living communities in the United States. ©2026 Argentum - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/alfa---assisted-living-federation-of-america) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ArgentumSeniorLiving/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/argentum) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/assistedlivingfed)