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Office staff turnover doesn’t grab the headlines like caregiver turnover, but there’s a strong correlation (and likely causation) between the two. Home care agencies that maintain office staff longer nearly always retain caregivers longer. According to the annual Home Care Benchmarking Study, for every one office staff member who quits, agencies lose five additional caregivers.
Good News: Credit for Caregiver Expenses Included in House Ways & Means List of Tax Provisions9/15/2021
 The House Ways and Means Committee has released updated details about proposed tax changes to be incorporated in the budget reconciliation bill, and HCAOA is happy to share that a tax credit for family caregivers - known as the Credit for Caregiving Act as separate legislation - is included in the bill. This credit provides a non-refundable credit, up to $4,000, equal to 50 percent of the qualified expenses paid or incurred by a qualified care recipient during the taxable year through 2025.
 A new data report published last week by PHI notes that there are 4.6 million direct care workers in the U.S. - including 2.4 million home care workers, 675,000 residential care aides, 527,000 nursing assistants in nursing homes, and roughly 1 million direct care workers employed in other settings. Additionally, 34 percent of the home care workforce is aged 55 and over, compared to 23 percent of the U.S. labor force overall. It’s important to keep statistics like this in mind to better understand our workforce.
CONNECTICUT: Chapter Members Meet with Commissioner of CT Department of Consumer Protection9/15/2021
Yesterday, the HCAOA Connecticut State Chapter held a successful networking lunch meeting. Chapter leaders also met with officials from the Department of Consumer Protection, including Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull, Department of Consumer Protection.  HCAOA partnered this week with the Better Medicare Alliance and more than 50 senior health organizations to send a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer to thank Congress for taking steps to protect Medicare Advantage beneficiaries when adding new benefits, such as dental, vision and hearing benefits, and encouraging lawmakers to keep this language in the final bill.
 Mark McGoldrick, Chair of the HCAOA Connecticut Chapter and owner of Comfort Keepers, and Matthew Hallisey, lobbyist for HCAOA, presented the Chapter's 2020 Outstanding Leadership Award to state Rep. Gale L. Mastrofrancesco (80th Dist., Wolcott), last Thursday at the state Capitol in Hartford. Rep. Mastrofrancesco said she was "so proud" to receive the award as Mr. McGoldrick noted her experience in and support for the home care industry. She was one of two state legislators recognized last year by the Chapter in an online program for her outstanding service and dedication in support of the home care industry in Connecticut. The presentation of the award was delayed due to the pandemic.
 Join the HCAOA Wisconsin Chapter on November 2 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. CT to hear the latest updates on important topics related to home care. State Representative Rick Gundrum, Chair of the Committee on Aging and Long Term Care Committee, will join the Chapter to discuss the committee’s priorities. Lobbyist Jolene Plautz will also provide updates on current and future advocacy efforts at the state level, as well as HCAOA’s advocacy efforts in Washington on behalf of the home care industry.
 The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission and Department of Health have jointly filed emergency rules to reinstate medication assistance rules as permitted under chapter 69.41 RCW. Specifically, these rules, filed under WSR 21-15-108 establish criteria for medication assistance in community-based and in-home care settings in accordance with RCW 69.41.010(15).
 Now that Ohio passed legislation requiring a license to operate a home care agency, don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the discussion on what the regulations to implement this new law will look like. Join members of the HCAOA Ohio State Chapter and the Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice to discuss requirements for issues such as criminal background checks, training, applications for license and supervision.
 Home care agency owners know more than anyone that the United States economy has had a wild past year and a half. A new Labor Day report by Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute found that in early 2020, the U.S. had enjoyed a historic high rate of employment. Then jobs declined by 1.4 million in March 2020, and then by 20.8 million in April 2020, the largest drop ever recorded. This four-part report examines the current job market and also what challenges employers will face in the coming months - especially with recruiting and retaining staff.
 Last week, President Biden announced vaccine mandates for workers in “most health care settings” that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement. This includes hospitals, dialysis facilities, ambulatory surgical settings, and home health agencies. HCAOA continues to monitor this development and those of various states to determine the impact on home care agencies providing personal care.
 HCAOA is also pleased to report that the House Energy and Commerce Committee included language on private duty shift nursing in the budget reconciliation draft. “HCAOA’s Private Duty Coalition has been working hard to ensure that this highly specialized care provided to medically fragile children at home is available to those who need it,” said HCAOA Executive Director Vicki Hoak. “We will continue to monitor the process of the bill, and continue to advocate for PDN as necessary.”
 HCAOA recently announced a partnership with the National Minority Health Association for the Flex for Checks program - a new way that both agencies and caregivers can earn money by promoting the COVID vaccine. Understandably, members had a few questions, and we are here to help!  The HCAOA Illinois State Chapter just scheduled a meeting for next Tuesday, September 21 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. CT. Save your spot today! For even more content, register for the HCAOA Illinois Chapter Conference from November 8-9. This event will offer opportunities to network, earn CEUs and more! CALIFORNIA: Hear from DSS Home Care Services Bureau and More, Register for Chapter Meeting9/15/2021
 Join the HCAOA California Chapter on October 13 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. PT for critical updates on home care regulations, legislation and labor laws affecting the industry, vaccination mandate information and more! Featured speakers include DSS Home Care Services Bureau Chief Jennifer Niklas and Attorney Elizabeth H. Murphy, JacksonLewis.
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© 2026 Home Care Association of America. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy