​The Senate passed legislation to reopen the federal government by a vote of 60 – 40 on Monday night, after a record 41-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. Eight Senate Democrats joined Republicans to advance legislation that would provide full-year funding for three appropriations bills through September 30, 2026: Agriculture and FDA, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. The remainder of the government would be funded through January 30, 2026. The package recalls agency employees who were terminated during the shutdown, but does not extend the enhanced premium health care tax credits that were central to Democrats’ demands. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill today, likely around 7:00pm. The House Rules Committee cleared a resolution allowing the chamber to take up the bill last night around 1:30am. House Republican leadership has only a two-vote margin, if all Democrats vote against the bill.

HCAOA is pleased to share a major development resulting from our sustained, aggressive federal advocacy. On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor issued Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) No. 2025-4, which directs its enforcement staff to stop applying the 2013 rule that prohibited home care agencies from using key Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exemptions for companionship and live-in services. This shift in enforcement policy is a direct outcome of HCAOA’s continued engagement with senior officials at the Department and within the Trump Administration and a meaningful step toward restoring flexibility for agencies and caregivers alike.

​​Congress is in the middle of a contentious budget process that could have major implications for home care providers. Both the House and Senate have passed their respective versions of a Fiscal Year 2026 budget resolution. The House now expected to consider the Senate’s version. 

Today, more than 100 members like you from across the country are in Washington, D.C. for HCAOA’s  2025 Advocacy Day, meeting with members of Congress to discuss the importance of home care. Whether or not you are joining us, we need your voice before and during our trip to Capitol Hill. 

The reintroduction of the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act of 2025 (H.R.138) brings vital financial support to family caregivers, who play a critical role in the care of aging parents and loved ones. This legislation proposes an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code, allowing caregivers to use funds from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), and Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) to cover the medical expenses of their parents or their spouse’s parents, by permitting caregivers to use pre-tax dollars for these expenses.

U.S. Reps Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) introduced the bipartisan Well-Being Insurance for Seniors to be at Home (WISH) Act to address the long-term care for disabled seniors. This legislation proposes a federal catastrophic insurance program that offers financial support for disabled seniors after a 1-5 year elimination period based on income, during which individuals cover their own care. The program incentivizes private insurers to offer more affordable plans, raise awareness about long-term care planning, and reduce reliance on Medicaid.

​Yesterday's HCAOA Indiana Chapter meeting was very informative. Evan Reinhardt, Executive Director of the Indiana Association for Home & Hospice Care, provided background on the 70/30 Medicaid Wage Passthrough and outlined what advocacy has been done to combat the passthrough with the FSSA. While a full repeal is the ultimate goal, advocacy to date includes speaking with the Braun administration, meeting with members of the House Ways & Means Committee, and negotiating with Rep. Ed Clere (R-IN-72). HCAOA will provide updates as meetings continue with Rep. Clere in hope of repealing the passthrough.

Two identical bills, HB 3838 and SB 1138, have been filed in the Oregon legislature that would establish a Home and Community-Based Workforce Standards Board. The legislation would direct the board to set minimum working standards for the HCBS workforce. It would also grant the board the authority to establish uniform training standards and provide “remedies” for allegations and violations of the minimum standards established by the board.

The Credit for Caring Act, a bipartisan bill designed to provide much-needed financial relief for family caregivers, was reintroduced in the House/Senate yesterday by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV Michael Bennet (D-CO), Reps. Mike Carey (R-OH-15), and Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38). HCAOA strongly supports this legislation, which aims to ease the financial strain for those caring for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones with long-term care needs.

HCAOA CEO Jason Lee recently sent a letter to President Trump in response to his administration’s executive order directing departments and agencies to initiate a regulatory freeze for certain rules that have not taken effect, pending review by the newly appointed agency head.

Connecticut is set to expand its paid sick leave law, affecting private-sector employees beginning January 1, 2025. Previously limited to employers with 50 or more employees and service workers, the new law will extend paid sick leave to all employees at companies with 25 or more employees, with further expansion in 2026 and 2027. Key changes include the elimination of the service worker criteria, no requirement for employees to provide documentation or advance notice for leave, and expanded use of sick time to care for family members. Additionally, the law increases accrual from one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked to one hour for every 30 hours worked, with a carryover of 40 hours or the option for employers to frontload sick leave at the start of each year. Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill in May, and the implementation will occur in phases over the next few years.

HCAOA is proud to celebrate a historic achievement for our nation’s veterans: the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act has passed Congress and is on its way to President Biden’s desk, who is expected to sign it into law! This landmark legislation will significantly enhance home-based care for veterans, including increasing the Veterans Administration's funding for in-home care to match 100% of the cost of nursing home care for veterans. HCAOA’s advocacy played a crucial role in making this a reality, with over 4,000 messages sent to Capitol Hill through its legislative action network. Over the past two years, advocacy efforts included numerous meetings with Veterans Affairs leadership, Congressional Policy Committee staff, in addition to meetings with key legislators during HCAOA's Home Care Advocacy Days.

HCAOA Connecticut Chapter leaders met recently with key lawmakers about Chapter legislative and public policy priorities in advance of the regular legislative session, which begins next month.

It’s not too late to register for today’s member-only webinar at 3:00 p.m. ET for a recap of the 2024 elections and a non-partisan discussion about opportunities and impacts for home care. HCAOA will also share insights into 2025 legislative and regulatory priorities.

HCAOA is excited to announce that the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. This milestone follows over a year of advocacy from thousands of HCAOA members. More than 3,000 messages were sent to Capitol Hill, and hundreds participated in the 2024 HCAOA Home Care Advocacy Day. HCAOA members succeeded in raising awareness about the importance of strengthening services for veterans and their families.