Action Alert: Urge Congress to Preserve Access to Home Health

In October, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a cut to Medicare payments for providers of home health services at 3.925 percent, a decrease from its originally proposed 7.69 percent cut. This, along with a 4 percent increase to the market basket update that addresses the rising costs of providing services, indicates that CMS is cognizant of current realities.

However, this reprieve is only temporary; CMS is phasing in the full cut over two years on a permanent basis and is clear that future cuts are likely in the cards. While the temporary reprieve from truly devastating cuts is appreciated, home health providers must remain active and support legislation to pause all cuts to the payment system.

Legislation to prevent these finalized cuts, and future cuts, from eroding access to home care and services needed by older adults was introduced by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and it needs your support!

We urge LeadingAge NY members to take two minutes to write to your legislators and advocate for S. 4605/H.R. 8581 to prevent cuts to home health care for seniors. To voice your support, click here.

Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871