Most people don’t appreciate that Medicare does not cover long-term care and only covers limited home care and nursing home care. Senate Democrats just released a plan to change that. It would guarantee affordable home care and long-term care in Medicare, reports Dave Muoio for FierceHealthcare.
Ranking Member, Ron Wyden, is leading 16 additional Senators in devising the Medicare policy. They are looking at the design of new affordable and accessible benefits as well as the establishment of a strong caregiver workforce and a way to better oversee care in nursing homes.
Right now, few older adults can afford home care. Half live on annual incomes below $36,000. A round-the-clock home health aide can cost close to $300,000 for a year. A room at a nursing home can cost more than $120,000 for the year.
The US should be caring for its older citizens and its people with disabilities. They should be able to grow old in their homes, not be forced into institutional care. The Senate Democrats want to create a nation that allows people to remain in their communities when they are most vulnerable, without fear of going broke. They want to ensure that our country has enough caregivers and that caregivers are paid living wages.
Details about the amount of money Senate Democrats would invest in home care and long-term care and how they would fund these benefits are forthcoming.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Traditional Medicare offers better home care benefits than Medicare Advantage
- Need home health care? Don’t count on Medicare
- Medicare coverage of nursing home care is very limited
- Don’t trust Medicare nursing home star ratings
- Roundup: Housing options for older adults
