President’s Social Safety Net Plan Nearing a Vote

​Over the weekend, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNN that Democrats are close to finalizing an agreement on the President’s social safety net plan and that the plan could be ready for a final vote by the end of this week. However, few details were provided about what programs are included in the plan. 

Reports from Washington list the price tag – which was originally $3.5 trillion – as $2 trillion or less, which means initiatives have been cut out and/or the duration of new programs has been shortened.    
 
Of interest to HCAOA members is the Medicaid HCBS expansion, which includes mandating HCBS for all state Medicaid programs, as well as broadening eligibility.  There is also significant funding for recruitment and retention strategies for the home care workforce, including raising wages under Medicaid programs and enhancing training opportunities
 
Other important issues to HCAOA members are the Credit for Caring Act, which would provide a tax credit for families caring for loved ones, extending the Employer Tax Credit, and including private duty nursing under the umbrella of Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services.    
 
According to HCAOA’s Lobbyist Patrick Cooney, these initiatives are all still in play but there is no assurance at this point that they are included in the Democrat’s plan.  “We will continue to advocate with the appropriate Congressional leaders to express the home care industry’s goal of increasing access to home-based care for all Americans,” he said.