The proposed bill mandates the Department of Human Services in Arkansas to apply for a home- and community-based services waiver specifically for the aging and elderly population. This waiver, authorized under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, aims to provide Medicaid beneficiaries with alternatives to skilled nursing facility care, allowing them to receive necessary services in their homes or communities. The bill highlights the current inadequacies in the Arkansas Medicaid Program, which has not established a comprehensive strategy to address the growing needs of the elderly population, resulting in a significant gap in both cost and service availability.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of cost neutrality, stipulating that the average per capita expenditures for home- and community-based services must not exceed the costs associated with institutional care. The Department of Human Services is tasked with ensuring that the estimated expenditures for waiver recipients remain within these financial parameters. This legislative effort seeks to enhance the quality of care for aging Arkansans while promoting their ability to age in place, thereby reducing reliance on institutionalized care.