GAO Breaks Down Long-Term Care Funding (Who Pays for What?)

Medicare and Medicaid often get misunderstood when it comes to long-term care—especially assisted living. In this conversation, U.S. Government Accountability Office Director Michelle Rosenberg explains why many people assume their “regular health insurance” will cover long-term services and support, and why that’s usually not the case. Michelle breaks down what Medicare covers (and what it doesn’t), what Medicaid covers as a required benefit, and how assisted living coverage depends on the state—because Medicaid assistance with activities of daily living (like bathing, eating, and dressing) is optional at the state level. She also explains how GAO’s work is driven by Congress, how Congress uses the findings, and what future research is focused on—particularly oversight of health and welfare in assisted living when Medicaid is funding care.