Medicare Update: Leading Democrat Releases Plans for Major Changes
Summary
Senator Ron Wyden, a leading Democrat, is proposing major changes to Medicare to help older Americans and people with disabilities afford long-term care at home. He wants feedback on ideas including a new Medicare home care benefit and expanding Medicaid home care access, aiming to make care more affordable, improve nursing home quality, and strengthen the care workforce.Key Facts
- Senator Ron Wyden is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee.
- Wyden released a request for feedback on options to improve America’s long-term care system.
- Proposed changes include creating a new Medicare benefit for home care and expanding Medicaid home care services.
- Medicare currently covers some home health services but does not pay for 24-hour home care or personal care alone.
- Medicaid pays for over half of U.S. long-term care spending but may leave middle-income families with high costs.
- The median cost for a non-medical caregiver is about $35 per hour or $80,080 annually.
- Wyden’s plan also focuses on improving nursing home care quality and supporting long-term care workers.
- The goal is to create a more affordable and equitable home care system for seniors and people with disabilities.
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