Harris proposes Medicare expansion for care

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a major policy proposal to expand Medicare to include long-term, at-home care services. The proposal marks a notable shift for the public health insurance program, traditionally limited to older Americans.Harris announced ABC’s& The View, a popular daytime talk show, emphasizing the program’s potential impact on the “sandwich generation”—the more than 105 million Americans providing care for children and aging parents. The proposed program aims to relieve the burden on families relying on Medicaid, which covers the largest portion of the nation’s long-term care services.“Taking care of a parent means picking out clothes that are soft enough, making meals that are easy for them to eat, and finding ways to bring a smile to their face,” Harris said, highlighting caregivers’ emotional and practical challenges. “We’re talking about declining skills, but their dignity, their pride, has not declined.”If approved, the initiative would significantly broaden Medicare’s scope. Currently, Medicare only covers at-home care under limited circumstances, typically following a hospital stay. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Medicaid spent $207 billion on long-term care services in 2021, covering everything from nursing homes to home health aides, as Harris emphasized.Harris explained that the expansion...