Vice President Kamala Harris Proposes Expanding Medicare to Cover Home Health Care
In a bold move aimed at supporting millions of Americans juggling the demands of caring for both children and aging parents, Vice President Kamala Harris has proposed a significant expansion of Medicare benefits to include home health care for the first time. Speaking on ABC’s "The View" on Tuesday, Harris emphasized the struggles faced by the "sandwich generation," a group of caregivers who often find themselves stretched thin between work and family responsibilities.
“There are so many people in our country who are right in the middle,” Harris said, highlighting the emotional and financial burdens that come with caring for loved ones. Her proposal aims to alleviate some of that pressure, allowing aging Americans to maintain their dignity while receiving the care they need at home.
According to Harris’s campaign data, nearly one-quarter of American adults fall into this sandwich generation, with over 105 million people serving as caregivers. Many of these individuals are forced to reduce their work hours or even leave their jobs entirely, leading to a loss of income and increased stress. “We’re finding that so many are then having to leave their job, which means losing a source of income, not to mention the emotional stress,” she added.
The proposed plan would require Medicare enrollees to undergo independent evaluations to determine their ability to perform daily activities like bathing and eating. The campaign’s fact sheet indicates that most seniors could continue living at home with just 20 hours or less of care per week, significantly reducing the need for costly nursing home stays.
However, the financial implications of this proposal are substantial. A recent estimate from the Brookings Institution suggests that a conservatively designed program could cost around $40 billion annually. To fund this initiative, Harris plans to expand Medicare drug price negotiations and implement international tax reforms, among other measures.
In addition to covering home health care, Harris’s proposal includes provisions for Medicare to cover hearing aids, eye exams, and new glasses. She also aims to prevent states from seizing seniors’ homes to recover Medicaid funds spent on long-term care services. This comprehensive approach seeks to address the long-term care needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities, allowing them to remain in their homes rather than moving to expensive nursing facilities.
The financial burden of long-term care is staggering. An American turning 65 in 2022 is estimated to incur around $120,900 in future long-term services and supports, with families covering about one-third of that cost. Home health aides can cost nearly $69,000 a year for part-time care, while nursing home stays can reach upwards of $117,000 annually. Given that the typical Medicare beneficiary has an income of just $36,000 a year, the need for affordable care options is clear.
Harris has drawn on her personal experience as a caregiver for her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who passed away from colon cancer in 2009. She shared the emotional toll of caring for a sick parent, illustrating the everyday challenges caregivers face. “It means trying to cook what they want to eat, what they can eat,” she recounted, emphasizing the deep personal connection that often accompanies caregiving.
A recent AARP survey revealed that two-thirds of caregivers struggle to balance their work and caregiving responsibilities, with many having to shift to part-time positions or take breaks from work altogether. “Family caregivers are the backbone of a broken long-term care system,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s chief public policy and engagement officer, calling for lawmakers to enact solutions that support these essential workers.
In response to Harris’s announcement, Care in Action PAC, which advocates for care workers and caregivers, pledged a multimillion-dollar investment in battleground states to support her initiative. “This is the financial relief that families are screaming for,” said executive director Hillary Holley, highlighting the urgent need for change.
As Harris continues her media blitz, appearing on various platforms including "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and "The Howard Stern Show," she aims to connect with voters and address their concerns directly. This outreach comes amid criticism from Republicans regarding her and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, for avoiding media questions.
With her proposal, Harris is not only addressing a pressing issue for millions of Americans but also positioning herself as a champion for caregivers in the upcoming election. As the conversation around long-term care continues, her plan could reshape how Medicare supports the aging population and their families, making a significant impact on the lives of many.
