Senator Schumer Joins Call to Expand PACE

New York Senator Charles Schumer was among 13 senators signing on to a bipartisan letter to expand the role of the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).  The Sept. 17 letter was addressed to Marilynn Tavenner, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  The letter is part of an overall effort by senators to expand the role of community-based long term care, and PACE is seen as a critical component of the service options that should be expanded. 

According to the letter:

“For more than 40 years, the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) has offered a comprehensive, fully integrated, provider-based option for the frailest and costliest members of our society …PACE is in a unique position to help [CMS] achieve its goals of better care, better health and increased cost-effectiveness for a larger and more diverse number of dually eligible individuals.”

The letter goes on to acknowledge, however, that current regulatory and statutory barriers have inhibited growth and innovation in PACE programs.  The letter cites the fact that CMS is currently in the process of revising its PACE regulations and lists specific steps that CMS should consider in order to allow for expansion and innovation in PACE.

New York has one of the largest and most expansive systems of PACE providers in the nation.  LeadingAge NY is carefully following developments in this area and supports further expansion and innovation in PACE services for New Yorkers.

Contact: Patrick Cucinelli, pcucinelli@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8827