House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) held a subcommittee hearing titled “Supporting Access to Long-Term Services and Supports: An Examination of the Impacts of Proposed Regulations on Workforce and Access to Care.” The hearing focused on two critical CMS proposed health care workforce and payment policies, the proposed nurse staffing standard in skilled nursing homes and the proposed Medicaid “80/20” pass through rule.
Expert witnesses shared stories of their work on the front line of long-term care and home and community-based services. Ms. Schumann, Ms. Killough, and Ms. Killingsworth highlighted the challenges recruiting and operating critical support services for a vulnerable population without adequate reimbursement and resources. Several committee members, including Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Chair Guthrie(R-KY) expressed eagerness to address the gaps in care in our nation’s senior services, but expressed concern with the Biden administration proposals. Rep. Harshbarger(R-TN) raised alarms about the potential unintended and combined impact of the two proposed policies that may push older and disabled adults into institutionalized care, that may not meet their needs.
To learn more about the hearing, and watch the recording, visit the Energy and Commerce website here. Full summary of the hearing coming soon!
