Kamala’s Home Health Proposal Divides Industry
11/3/24 The concept of aging at home holds a personal significance for many families and has become a focal point in healthcare discussions. Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris recently proposed an innovative plan that aims to expand Medicare to include non-medical home care services. This proposal, if enacted, would not only provide essential support for seniors in activities of daily living but also alleviate the pressures on the “sandwich generation”—adults balancing care for their aging parents and their own children. For home health therapists, this proposal could redefine their roles and operations within the industry.
Harris’s plan acknowledges the strong desire among seniors to age in place. It seeks to create a more comprehensive Medicare benefit that supports their independence at home, potentially reducing the need for more costly interventions and institutionalized care. As Sara Wilson, president and CEO of Home Assist Health, points out, home care is essential for strengthening communities by enabling individuals to recover, age, and thrive at home. It also supports the workforce by allowing family caregivers to maintain their jobs. This emphasis on home-based care aligns with the growing need to prevent hospitalizations and improve quality of life.
Leaders in the home care industry view the proposal as a positive step, but with significant questions remaining. Cleamon Moorer Jr., president and CEO of American Advantage Home Care, expressed initial excitement but shared concerns about how the proposal would be implemented. For example, how would state-level Medicaid programs integrate with the new federal benefit? Would states need to redirect Medicaid funding, and how would current waitlists be managed? These questions highlight the complexity of merging state and federal care structures and underscore the potential impact on therapists’ workflows, especially regarding training and certification requirements.
The proposal brings attention to longstanding challenges in home health care. Aaron Sinykin, founder and CEO of Devoted Guardians, voiced cautious optimism, noting that while the proposal is promising, the feasibility of its execution is uncertain. The discussion suggests that for therapists, changes to funding and regulatory structures could alter documentation practices, care plans, and reimbursement protocols. This shift would require adaptation and potentially more collaboration with government entities and private organizations.
Ari Medoff, CEO of Arosa, highlighted the importance of innovation beyond just technological advancements. He suggested that new business models should be developed to make high-quality home care more accessible and sustainable. For home health therapists, this could mean new methods of delivering care and managing patient caseloads, potentially requiring additional training and adjustments to existing practices.
With increased attention on the value of home care, the proposal could drive investments in workforce development. Wilson and other leaders agree that a strong and sustainable workforce is crucial for meeting rising care demands. For therapists, this could mean better training programs, higher job satisfaction, and more opportunities for professional growth. Building a workforce that is supported by fair compensation and innovation-friendly policies is essential for long-term success in the sector.
The Harris proposal symbolizes a significant shift in how home-based care is perceived and potentially supported. While it promises to expand the role of home health therapists by integrating non-medical care into the Medicare framework, it also raises concerns about the practicalities of funding, certification, and quality assurance. As Dean Ulizio, chief strategy officer at BrightStar Care, stated, this policy could help meet people “where they are” and prevent avoidable health issues. For home health therapists, the proposal represents both an opportunity and a challenge—one that will require adaptability and proactive engagement to ensure that they can continue delivering high-quality care under new guidelines.
The proposal’s fate remains uncertain, but the increased focus on in-home care marks a meaningful step toward elevating the profession and strengthening the industry’s role in supporting seniors nationwide.