Press ReleaseUrgent2026-04-29

Dingell, Colleagues Introduce Bills to Strengthen Home Care Access

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This press release from Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) was published on 2026-04-29 and titled "Dingell, Colleagues Introduce Bills to Strengthen Home Care Access". It focuses on healthcare and touches on the economy, the environment.

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Dingell, Colleagues Introduce Bills to Strengthen Home Care Access

Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell introduced the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act and the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act, two separate pieces of legislation to strengthen home care access and the caregiving workforce. Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act In addition to Congresswoman Dingell, the HCBS Access Act is co-led by U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09). “We know that the majority of individuals who require long-term care would prefer to receive it in their own homes and communities. No one should have to wait years to get the care they deserve, and no care worker should have to live below the poverty line to give this care,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Medicaid is the single largest payer of long-term care in our country. At a time when Medicaid is facing unprecedented, historic cuts, it’s more important than ever that we prioritize home and community-based services. This is the less expensive option for both families and the federal government, but the people who don’t want us to improve the system are the corporations profiting while Americans struggle. This legislation will provide much-needed investment in our care workforce, making it easier for those who need care to get it, and supporting the caregivers doing this crucial work.” “Older adults and people with disabilities deserve to live with dignity and age in place. Yet the United States still lacks a comprehensive long-term care policy that meets the needs of our most vulnerable communities. Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services help fill this gap, ensuring millions of Americans can remain independent in their homes and communities,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I am proud to join my colleague Congresswoman Dingell in introducing this legislation to strengthen our nation’s care infrastructure by expanding access to Medicaid home care, investing in the direct care workforce, and supporting family caregivers. It’s time to move beyond discussion and deliver real national solutions to the caregiving crisis.” The problem Many older adults and people with disabilities who need help with daily activities such as eating, dressing, traveling to work or school, and managing finances, are eligible for Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) to support their everyday needs. These beneficiaries have immediate access to nursing homes or other institutional settings. But if they want to remain in their homes with the help of Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), they are often put on a waiting list and can wait years or even decades for services and support. Medicaid policy has always paid for nursing home and other institutional care for those eligible for LTSS but will not pay for home and community-based services unless a waiver has been granted. This bill would put both options on equal footing and give families an equal choice between home and community care or institutional care. This current system fails to meet the needs of millions of older adults and people with disabilities. While many people want to live in their own homes and communities, they may be forced to live in an institutional setting just to access the services they need. As the 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision stated, everyone—no matter their disability—has the right to receive services in their community and to live in their own home. The solution The HCBS Access Act is designed to ensure eligible older adults and people with disabilities have a real choice of care and support options between home care and institutional care. The bill would, over time, eliminate HCBS waiting lists and the need for states to repeatedly apply for HCBS waivers. Specifically, the bill would: Increase Medicaid funding for home and community-based services; Increase the federal match for state funding to expand their capacity to meet the needs of people who prefer HCBS; Make steps to improve the stability, availability, and quality of direct care providers to help address the decades-long workforce shortage crisis; Provide states with resources so that caregiving workers—who are disproportionately women of color—have stable, quality jobs and a living wage; Provide training and support for family caregivers; and Create better evaluation measures to assess the quality of HCBS being provided. The legislation is endorsed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (ASFCME), Justice in Aging, the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Little Lobbyists, Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), ADAPT, and PHI. Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act In addition to Congresswoman Dingell, the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act is co-led by U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA-07). “Caregiving is the foundation of our economy. It allows

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Dingell, Colleagues Introduce Bills to Strengthen Home Care Access Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell introduced the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act and the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act, two separate pieces of legislation to strengthen home care access and the caregiving workforce. Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act In addition to Congresswoman Dingell, the HCBS Access Act is co-led by U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09). “We know that the majority of individuals who require long-term care would prefer to receive it in their own homes and communities. No one should have to wait years to get the care they deserve, and no care worker should have to live below the poverty line to give this care,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Medicaid is the single largest payer of long-term care in our country. At a time when Medicaid is facing unprecedented, historic cuts, it’s more important than ever that we prioritize home and community-based services. This is the less expensive option for both families and the federal government, but the people who don’t want us to improve the system are the corporations profiting while Americans struggle. This legislation will provide much-needed investment in our care workforce, making it easier for those who need care to get it, and supporting the caregivers doing this crucial work.” “Older adults and people with disabilities deserve to live with dignity and age in place. Yet the United States still lacks a comprehensive long-term care policy that meets the needs of our most vulnerable communities. Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services help fill this gap, ensuring millions of Americans can remain independent in their homes and communities,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I am proud to join my colleague Congresswoman Dingell in introducing this legislation to strengthen our nation’s care infrastructure by expanding access to Medicaid home care, investing in the direct care workforce, and supporting family caregivers. It’s time to move beyond discussion and deliver real national solutions to the caregiving crisis.” The problem Many older adults and people with disabilities who need help with daily activities such as eating, dressing, traveling to work or school, and managing finances, are eligible for Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) to support their everyday needs. These beneficiaries have immediate access to nursing homes or other institutional settings. But if they want to remain in their homes with the help of Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), they are often put on a waiting list and can wait years or even decades for services and support. Medicaid policy has always paid for nursing home and other institutional care for those eligible for LTSS but will not pay for home and community-based services unless a waiver has been granted. This bill would put both options on equal footing and give families an equal choice between home and community care or institutional care. This current system fails to meet the needs of millions of older adults and people with disabilities. While many people want to live in their own homes and communities, they may be forced to live in an institutional setting just to access the services they need. As the 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision stated, everyone—no matter their disability—has the right to receive services in their community and to live in their own home. The solution The HCBS Access Act is designed to ensure eligible older adults and people with disabilities have a real choice of care and support options between home care and institutional care. The bill would, over time, eliminate HCBS waiting lists and the need for states to repeatedly apply for HCBS waivers. Specifically, the bill would: Increase Medicaid funding for home and community-based services; Increase the federal match for state funding to expand their capacity to meet the needs of people who prefer HCBS; Make steps to improve the stability, availability, and quality of direct care providers to help address the decades-long workforce shortage crisis; Provide states with resources so that caregiving workers—who are disproportionately women of color—have stable, quality jobs and a living wage; Provide training and support for family caregivers; and Create better evaluation measures to assess the quality of HCBS being provided. The legislation is endorsed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (ASFCME), Justice in Aging, the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Little Lobbyists, Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), ADAPT, and PHI. Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act In addition to Congresswoman Dingell, the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act is co-led by U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA-07). “Caregiving is the foundation of our economy. It allows