Policy Corner: February 28, 2020

Senate Passes Lifespan Reauthorization Bill

The U.S. Senate passed the Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act, S.995, by voice vote this week. The bill will now have to be reconciled with the House-passed bill or go directly to the House floor for final passage. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) sponsored the bill, which would authorize $10 million annually for the Lifespan Respite Care program from fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2024.

“In my conversations with family caregivers, I have found what they need most is respite care, a break from the 24/7 job of caregiving. Caregivers provide an estimated $470 billion in uncompensated care each year. Yet, an astounding 85% of caregivers have not received any respite services at all,” said Sen. Collins. “Respite care is essential to caregivers as it helps to reduce mental stress and physical health issues they may experience. With Senate passage of our bill, we are one step closer to giving family caregivers and their loved ones the support they need by ensuring that quality respite is available and accessible.” The U.S. House of Representatives passed a somewhat different version of the bill last summer. The two versions will need to be reconciled before the legislation can go to the president.

Senate Committee on Aging Holds Hearing on Home Health

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, chaired by Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Robert Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), held a hearing entitled, “There’s No Place Like Home: Home Health Care in Rural America” Feb. 12. During the hearing, Sen. Casey highlighted his bill, the Home and Community-based Services Infrastructure Improvement Act, which would invest in community supports for older adults and people with disabilities in rural areas through increased Medicaid funding for states. The hearing focused on Medicare home health care services, including changes to payment mechanisms as well as reductions to the rural add-on payment.

BIAA Signs Letter Regarding HHS’ Proposed Rule on ACA Benefit and Payment Parameters

As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR), the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) signed a coalition letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar on HHS’ Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2021. The proposed rule sets forth benefit and payment parameters, changes the automatic enrollment process, expands special enrollment periods, and sets out many other policies implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). CPR supports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expanding the special enrollment periods under the proposed rule. While understanding CMS’ concern of enrollees using the special enrollment process to change qualified health plan “metal” tiers depending on their health needs throughout the year, the proposed additional special enrollment periods allow enrollees to maintain health care coverage to the maximum extent possible while minimizing this concern. This provision will help ensure that enrollees have access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage.