Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled a proposal to expand Medicare coverage to include long-term, in-home health care for seniors, allowing many to age at home instead of in nursing facilities. This initiative aims to provide relief for families managing care responsibilities.
Currently, Medicare does not cover long-term care services such as home health aides, a reality that often surprises older adults. The program only funds specific services like physical therapy and medical supplies for a limited period following a hospital stay. As a result, many seniors turn to Medicaid for extended care, often requiring them to deplete their assets to qualify. Even after qualifying, coverage for in-home care remains severely limited, with full benefits typically available only for those who enter nursing homes.
Others face significant financial burdens, paying more than $100,000 out-of-pocket for personal home aides or relying on unpaid family caregivers. Harris, who has personal experience in caregiving, shared her perspective during an appearance on ABC’s “The View.”
“I took care of my mother when she was sick. She was diagnosed with cancer, and so it is a personal experience for me as well as something I care deeply about,” Harris said. She described the various ways caregivers provide dignity to their loved ones, from cooking special meals to selecting comfortable clothing.
Under Harris’ proposal, Medicare would cover an at-home health benefit for seniors enrolled in the program, contingent upon a medical provider’s assessment that they need assistance with daily activities such as eating, bathing, or using the restroom. The majority of seniors could remain in their homes with an average of 20 hours or less of aide care each week, according to Harris’ campaign fact sheet.
Additionally, Medicare would implement a “sliding scale” for cost-sharing among beneficiaries for these long-term services and collaborate with technology companies and private-sector businesses to enhance care delivery. Harris is also advocating for Medicare to cover hearing aids, eye exams, and new glasses and lenses, which would further support seniors.
Funding for these expanded benefits would come from efforts to negotiate drug prices under Medicare, increase manufacturer discounts on specific brand-name drugs, and address fraud within the program. Harris plans to increase transparency among pharmaceutical benefit managers to lower costs and regulate practices that inflate prices.
If elected, Harris intends to work with Congress to prevent Medicaid from seizing the homes of recently deceased enrollees.
Harris’ plan specifically targets the “sandwich generation”—adults caring for both aging parents and children under 18. According to the Pew Research Center, more than half of Americans in their 40s fall into this category.
“There are so many people in our country who are right in the middle: they’re taking care of their kids and they’re taking care of their aging parents, and it’s just almost impossible to do it all, especially if they work,” Harris said on “The View.” She noted that many caregivers are forced to leave their jobs, resulting in lost income and increased emotional stress.
With an increasing need for long-term care, Harris’ proposal comes amid a looming senior care crisis. A recent analysis by Moody’s predicts that 70% of older adults will require long-term care services that are often challenging to access. Studies indicate that seniors prefer receiving care at home, which is also more effective than hospital care.
“Improving and expanding Medicare is job one in order to fix our broken health care system,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen. “Home health expansion through Medicare is a smart and desperately needed place to start. It would provide relief for families across America struggling to take care of their loved ones.”
Harris’ initiative would require congressional approval and could only succeed if Democrats regain control of the House and maintain their majority in the Senate following the November elections.
Ai-jen Poo, executive director of Caring Across Generations, lauded Harris’ plan on Instagram, highlighting its importance to caregivers. “This is the future we can make possible in November,” Poo stated.
