bipartisan duo leading the party United States Senate The Select Committee on Aging — Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, and Mike Braun, R-Ind. — introduced a bill this week to make older Americans more senior. Easily qualify for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
Casey’s office describes the program as an “alternative care model to traditional home care that helps people receive care in the community” and is an important component of the duo’s PACE Anytime Act, which would “expand” access to care. Opportunities for the PACE program.
“The PACE program provides services primarily in adult day health centers, allowing individuals to remain in their homes and communities,” the senators’ joint statement said. “Currently, eligible seniors and people with disabilities can only receive medical care once a month. Enroll in the PACE program on the first day – The PACE Anytime Act removes barriers to enrollment by allowing eligible individuals to enroll at any time during the month.”
Senator Casey, an advocate for aging in place, sees this legislation as a potential solution to improve the lives of Pennsylvania’s seniors.
“The PACE program allows seniors and people with disabilities to receive all essential care while remaining in the community,” Casey said in a statement. “While the PACE program provides high-quality, comprehensive care, limited enrollment opportunities make the program Participation becomes unnecessarily difficult. My new bill will make it easier to enroll in PACE programs and provide seniors and people with disabilities the flexibility to get the care they need.
Senator Braun, ranking member of the Committee on Aging, recently asked leaders of the following agencies about the mechanics of the reverse mortgage program. Ginnie MaeAdding that the bill would relax existing stringency in the PACE program eligibility process.
“Older Americans should be able to get the care they need in their communities without burdensome barriers,” said Ranking Member Braun. “The PACE Anytime Act will increase the flexibility for low-income seniors and people with disabilities to participate in PACE programs.”
Shawn Bloom, President and CEO National PACE Association (NPA) added that the bill would increase the chances of more older people staying in places they increasingly like later in life.
“Older adults should not wait until the beginning of the month to begin receiving care and services from PACE,” Bloom said. “Given the rapidly growing number of older Americans and their clear desire to age in place, it is imperative that our nation encourages ready access to PACE—a comprehensive model of care that adequately addresses an individual’s complex care needs in the home and in the community. Not a nursing facility.
Braun’s Senate seat was up for re-election in November, but he declined to run after receiving the Indiana Republican nomination for governor.
