The deadline to submit a speaking proposal for the 2025 HCAOA National Home Care Conference, October 20-21 in Dallas, TX, is Friday, March 14 – just two weeks away!

Medicaid home care faces ongoing workforce challenges, impacting over 4.5 million users of home- and community-based services (HCBS). Many states are addressing this by increasing payment rates, according to a recent issue brief released by KFF. The survey was sent to each state official overseeing home care benefits (including home health, personal care, and waiver services for specific populations, such as people with physical disabilities). All states except Florida, Indiana, and Utah responded.

The HCAOA Hawaii Chapter recently submitted testimony in support of HB 702. This bill highlights a significant wage gap for direct care workers, as shown by the Milliman rate study, which emphasizes the need to increase payment rates to stabilize care access. HCAOA fully supports HB 702, noting that the data from the study is five years old, and costs have dramatically risen since then. To address wage pressures and improve access to care for Medicaid clients, funding the rate study at the higher scenario in the Milliman study is crucial.

The Connecticut legislature's Aging Committee introduced a bill that would make significant changes to training requirements for home care agency (HCA) employees, which could be costly to implement.

HCAOA members are invited to register for Polsinelli's Home Care Industry Update on March 20 at 12:00 p.m. ET. HCAOA CEO Jason Lee will participate in a panel discussion with representatives from Polsinelli and the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) for a presentation discussing topics ranging from immigration to changes in state laws impacting the home care industry.

Members in California assembled last week at the California Chapter Conference & Advocacy Day in Sacramento for insightful updates from Jude de la Concepcion and her team from the DSS Home Care Services Bureau on enforcement metrics, the complaint portal, and HCO licensing metrics. ​Bob King with Legally Nanny provided information on minimum wage updates, the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), paid sick leave, and much more. Assemblymember Alex Lee provided a California legislative update, and Karol Swartzlander, Executive Director of the California Commission on Aging, rounded out the conference as the luncheon guest speaker. The day concluded with HCAOA members meeting with their respective legislators. It was a full and exciting day.

The Pennsylvania Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) released the 2025 Home-and Community-Based Services Rate and Wage Study. The study revealed the need for rate increases for the services listed below and identified the rate gaps for each.

​There are just two weeks left to participate in the 2025 Activated Insights Benchmarking Report and claim your free $999 digital copy before the survey closes on February 25.

After the HCAOA Advocacy Day Welcome Reception on Tuesday, April 8, hop aboard the Old Town Trolley for an unforgettable evening with HCAOA and sponsor AxisCare. Enjoy a two-hour, fully-narrated tour through Washington, DC, visiting the nation’s most iconic monuments and landmarks illuminated by the moonlight. "Monuments by Moonlight" offers an extraordinary and captivating view of the city—blending networking and sightseeing all in one! Don't miss this chance to see DC like never before.

HCAOA member ​Family Resource Home Care announced the acquisition of Beneficial In-Home Care, Inc., one of Eastern Washington’s largest home care agencies with six locations in Spokane, Colville, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Pullman, and Omak. Since 2019, Family Resource Home Care has grown from eight locations to over 35 across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado.

Last week, HCAOA CEO Jason Lee, Legislative Director Cheryl Stanton, Board Member Veronica Charles, and HCAOA VP of Government Relations Eric Reinarman spent two full days on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress to discuss Tax policy to improve access to home care, as well as to immigration and HCAOA’s proposed home care visa and streamlining the EB-3 Visa process to help close the workforce shortage gap.

​The 2024 AARP Home & Community Preference Survey reveals that the majority of Americans aged 50 and older want to remain in their current homes (75%) and communities (73%) for as long as possible. This desire is even stronger among adults aged 65 and older, as well as those living in small towns or rural areas.

​Georgia members - mark your calendars for the HCAOA Georgia Chapter Conference on Wednesday, March 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Georgian Terrace Hotel. This is your chance to connect with chapter leadership, HCAOA staff, and your peers for a full day of valuable insights and discussions. Topics will cover federal and state regulations, legislative updates, an update on VA CCN services and rates, and more.

Register today for this must-attend event!

The Member-Get-A-Member Program is a referral campaign providing members an opportunity to share their success stories and the benefits they derive from their membership with prospective members. Membership growth amplifies the home care industry’s voice at the federal and state levels, so legislators and regulators listen. ​