‘There Are Still Many Questions Unanswered’: Home Care Providers Seek Clarity on American Rescue Plan

As part of the recently passed $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, state Medicaid programs have seemingly received a major bump in funding for vital home- and community-based services (HCBS). In theory, the bump is designed to help HCBS operators expand their services, attract new workers and take on more clients. Still, some in-home care providers […]

‘A Monumental Advance’: Newly Unveiled American Jobs Plan Would Invest $400B into Home-Based Care

President Joe Biden is trying to make good on one of his main campaign promises. The Biden administration on Wednesday unveiled a new $2 trillion infrastructure proposal to create jobs, build roads, fix bridges and more. On top of that, the proposal — officially dubbed the American Jobs Plan — would substantially increase funding for […]

Xavier Becerra Confirmed as HHS Secretary

The U.S. Senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It did so by a 50-49 margin, with the vote playing out almost entirely along party lines. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Republican who voted to confirm […]

House Passes $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan, Securing Relief for Home-Based Care Providers

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan” on Wednesday. The Senate approved the legislation along party lines on Saturday. In passing this latest round of coronavirus relief, Congress gave Biden one of his biggest early political victories since taking office. The White House announced […]

7.35% Medicaid Boost Critical for Supporting America’s ‘Fragile’ Home-Based Care Infrastructure, Senators Argue

7When the House Energy and Commerce Committee included new Medicaid provisions to the ever-changing $1.9 trillion relief package, home-based care operators were pleased to see a hefty rate bump for home- and community-based care (HCBS). The draft legislation specifically called for a 7.35% rate increase for states to enhance HCBS during the pandemic. There appears […]

House Lawmakers Include 7.35% Medicaid Boost for Home- and Community-Based Services in Stimulus Proposal

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has proposed some major Medicaid provisions to the $1.9 trillion relief package making its way through Congress. If enacted, the measures would benefit home-based care providers across the U.S., at least in the short term. Specifically, the draft legislation includes a two-year, 5% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) boost […]

[Updated] As Feds Begin Distribution Process, Home Health Industry Still Evaluating Vaccine Mandates

A panel of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers voted on Thursday to recommend that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine be authorized for emergency use during the coronavirus pandemic. Originally, it was believed the FDA — which typically follows the guidance of its advisers — would move forward with authorization on Saturday. That timeline was pushed […]

CMS Announces $165M to Support Home Care, Reduce ‘America’s Over-Reliance’ on Nursing Homes

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took a new step on Wednesday to support care transitions from long-term care facilities into home- and community-based settings. On Wednesday, CMS announced the availability of up to $165 million in supplemental funding to states currently operating Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration programs. MFP programs […]