House of Reps Votes to Fund Key Homecare and Hospice Programs

 WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 21, 2020)—The House of Representatives completed their work on Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), allocating $96 billion to HHS for FY21. This funding is separate from the Medicare and Medicaid programs as those are considered mandatory spending and not subject to the annual appropriations process.

Following is a summary of the programs funded of note to homecare and hospice providers:

• Home and Community Based Services: $400 million ($10 million increase from FY2020)—This program provides grants to states to fund services and supports designed to keep seniors independent in their homes as long as possible.
• Family Caregiver Supports: $193 million ($8 million increase from FY2020)—This program offers a range of support services to family caregivers, including assistance in accessing services such as respite care, counseling, support groups and caregiver training.
• Respite Care: $10 million ($4 million increase from FY2020)—The program focuses on easing the burdens of caregiving by providing grants to eligible State organizations to improve the quality of, and access to, respite care for family caregivers.
• Aging and Disability Resource Centers: $8 million ($2 million increase from FY2020)—These centers provide information, counseling and access for individuals to learn about the services and support options available to seniors and the disabled so they may retain their independence.
• State Health Insurance Assistance Program: $54 million ($2 million increase from FY2020)—The State Health Insurance Assistance Program provides Medicare beneficiaries with information, counseling, and enrollment assistance.
• Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals: $192 million (no change form FY2020)—This activity supports hearings at the administrative law judge level, the third level of Medicare claims appeals.
• State Survey and Certification: $400 million ($10 million increase from FY2020)—State Survey and Certification supports certifications of Medicare and Medicaid certified health care facilities to ensure that beneficiaries receive care at facilities that meet health, safety, and quality standards required by CMS.

In total the House has approved ten of the 12 annual appropriations bills. The Senate will conduct the same process, but has yet to so at this point.

It is important to note that what the House has approved will likely not become law. Negotiations with the Senate and White House will result in changes to the specific funding levels for the departments, agencies, and programs included. This work needs to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year to avoid a government shutdown. In the event that a deal cannot be reached, Congress can pass a Continuing Resolution that would maintain current spending levels for a specified amount of time allowing additional time for negotiations for the full fiscal year.

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