# Medicare Home Care Plan Proposal > Senate Democrat Ron Wyden seeks feedback on Medicare home care expansion for seniors and disabled Americans. - Title: Medicare Home Care Plan Proposal · Newsweek | Shortify - Summary: Senate Democrat Ron Wyden seeks feedback on Medicare home care expansion for seniors and disabled Americans. Senate Finance Committee Democrat Ron Wyden… - Keywords: ron wyden, senate finance committee, medicare home care, long-term care, senior care, disability care, medicaid, carescout, 9i capital group, michael ryan, 9innings podcast, Medicare - Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/medicare-update-leading-democrat-releases-plans-for-major-changes-12580828 - Published: 2026-10-16T17:03:14+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: ron wyden, senate finance committee, medicare home care, long-term care, senior care, disability care, medicaid, carescout, 9i capital group, michael ryan, 9innings podcast ## 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 ## Key takeaway 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.