July 29, 2021 Washington, DC—Statement from Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, on the Choose Home Care Act, introduced today by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN), with original cosponsors Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), James Lankford (R-OK), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). 

The Act would expand available services covered by Medicare’s home health benefit to allow more older adults to be cared for at home following a hospital discharge. 

“Older Americans are not a monolithic group. They have unique desires, challenges and life circumstances–and they should have access to a range of affordable care and services to meet their needs.

After an injury or illness that results in hospitalization, many older adults need ongoing care and services. For many, going home is preferred if they can—but under the current Medicare benefit, that choice simply isn’t always possible. The Choose Home Care Act takes important steps toward increasing choice by supplementing the existing Medicare home health benefit and expanding the services providers can offer at home to hospital-discharge Medicare recipients. The proposed legislation tightens the safety net for older adults as they leave the hospital. 

The Choose Home Care Act is not about directing where or how older adults receive care. It simply provides one element in a range of care options we must make available to older adults and their families. From strengthening existing programs for services and care at home and in the community, to reimagining nursing homes and increasing the supply of affordable senior housing, LeadingAge advocates for a broad range of policy recommendations as outlined in our Blueprint for Better Aging Services Infrastructure and 2021 Policy Priorities. 

Passing the Choose Home Care Act would be a much-needed move toward achieving our vision of making America a better place to grow old.”

Results of an online survey of 800 U.S. adults released by LeadingAge in June reveal that an overwhelming majority of Americans—Democrats, Republicans and Independents—believe now is the right time to think about building a better system for older adults. Almost 9 in 10 say that the government has an important role in ensuring that seniors are taken care of.

We represent more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we use applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old. Our membership encompasses the entire continuum of aging services. We bring together the most inventive minds in the field to lead and innovate solutions that support older adults wherever they call home. For more information visit leadingage.org.