The White House has announced that the American Rescue Plan Act's investments in home and community-based services (HCBS) have surpassed $37 billion. This funding has proven to be successful in providing home care for tens of thousands of Americans, reducing waitlists, increasing care options, and raising wages for direct care workers. However, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, warns that these gains may be lost if the temporary investments are not made permanent.
Senator Casey emphasizes the importance of taking action to ensure that the investments in HCBS are sustained in the long term. He has introduced several bills, such as the Better Care, Better Jobs Act and the HCBS Relief Act, which aim to provide long-term and continuous investment in caregiving. These bills would guarantee that older adults and people with disabilities can receive the care they need in their own communities.
Chairman Casey played a pivotal role in securing increased funding for HCBS in the American Rescue Plan Act. This funding was achieved through a 10-point Federal Medical Assistance Program (FMAP) increase, resulting in a total investment in HCBS exceeding $37 billion. This amount far surpasses the initial federal allocation of $12.7 billion, thanks to matching investments by all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
In the Senate, Chairman Casey has been a staunch advocate for sustained investment in HCBS. His Better Care Better Jobs Act aims to provide funding for higher wages and benefits for direct care workers, support family caregivers, establish registries of workers, and enhance training for those providing home and community-based care. The HCBS Relief Act, another bill introduced by Casey, seeks to extend the American Rescue Plan Act's HCBS funding for two years. This extension would provide states with the necessary resources to recruit, retain, and compensate direct care workers. Additionally, Chairman Casey's HCBS Access Act proposes to make HCBS a permanent service of Medicaid, thereby expanding access to HCBS for all Medicaid recipients.
The impact of temporary home care funding has become evident through the success of the American Rescue Plan Act's investments in HCBS. However, to ensure that these gains are not lost, sustained investment in home care is crucial. Senator Casey's efforts in introducing legislation such as the Better Care, Better Jobs Act and the HCBS Relief Act demonstrate his commitment to providing long-term support for caregiving. By making these investments permanent, older adults and people with disabilities can continue to receive the care they need in their own communities.
To learn more, click on this link: https://www.aging.senate.gov/press-releases/as-impact-of-temporary-home-care-funding-becomes-clear-casey-urges-for-sustained-investment
