From Newsweek · · 1m 40s
Medicare Home Care Plan Proposal
Senate Democrat Ron Wyden seeks feedback on Medicare home care expansion for seniors and disabled Americans.
In brief
Senate Democrat Ron Wyden seeks feedback on Medicare home care expansion for seniors and disabled Americans. Senate Finance Committee Democrat Ron Wyden released a request for input on creating Medicare home care benefits to address long-term care costs for seniors and people with disabilities. Originally reported by…
Ron Wyden releases Medicare home care plan
Senate Finance Committee Democrat Ron Wyden released a request for information on options to overhaul America's long-term care system.
“long-term care and the decisions that surround it are among the most personal and sensitive any american family must face”
Medicare home care benefits proposed
Wyden floated establishing a new Medicare home care benefit and expanding Medicaid access for home care services.
“medicare pays for certain medically necessary home health services but generally does not cover round-the-clock home care”
Current Medicare limitations
Medicare covers skilled nursing and therapy services but not 24-hour home care or home meal delivery.
“medicare specifically does not pay for 24-hour home care or home meal delivery”
Medicaid's role in long-term care
Medicaid accounts for more than half of U.S. long-term care spending but has limited coverage for non-medical care.
“medicaid is the country's primary payer for long-term services and supports and accounts for more than half of u.s. long-term care spending”
Care costs for families
The national median cost of a non-medical caregiver reached $35 per hour in 2:025, or $80,080 annually based on 44 hours a week.
“the national median cost of a non-medical caregiver reached $35 per hour in 2025”
Wyden's three priorities
Wyden's request focuses on making home care affordable, improving nursing-home care quality, and strengthening the long-term care workforce.
“senate democrats are determined to deliver an equitable and affordable home care guarantee for all americans in need”
Expert analysis on costs
Kevin Thompson and Michael Ryan note long-term care is a financial crisis for families with many depleting savings or purchasing expensive insurance.
“many either purchase overly expensive insurance policies or eventually deplete much of their assets to cover the cost of care”
Next steps for Medicare
Wyden's request is a feedback mechanism, not immediate legislation, with no changes to Medicare coverage for home care.
“congress still has to answer two expensive questions: who pays for universal care and where will the caregivers come from”
What happens next
Senate Democrats aim to address long-term care costs but face significant financial and workforce challenges before implementation.
“i do not foresee this coming to fruition anytime soon”
The main idea
Senate Finance Committee Democrat Ron Wyden released a request for input on creating Medicare home care benefits to address long-term care costs for seniors and people with disabilities.
