Vice President Harris Unveils Proposal to Expand Medicare for Home Care Services

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, recently unveiled a proposal to expand Medicare to cover home care services. This new benefit would be aimed at older Americans, allowing them to receive care at home rather than in institutional settings such as nursing homes, which are more costly and less preferred by many.

Harris’ plan is designed to be funded by savings from Medicare drug price negotiations and reforms to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which are projected to generate significant savings. The Harris campaign has pointed to a proposal from the Brookings Institution to expand home care benefits to seniors under Medicare, which had a $40 billion dollar cost on an annual basis based on their analysis.

The proposal would need congressional approval to move forward, making its success dependent on the legislative landscape after the upcoming elections. If enacted, this change would mark a significant shift in long-term care policy.

While this plan represents a unique proposal that will mostly impact senior care, ANCOR will continue to advocate for strengthening long-term care for not only aging Americans but for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.