The HCBS Relief Act: A Timely Response to America’s Caregiving Crisis
The Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) landscape in the United States is at a critical juncture. A recent report highlighted that all states reported shortages of HCBS workers, most frequently among direct support professionals, personal care attendants, nursing staff, and home health aides. Additionally, most (43) states reported permanent closures of HCBS providers within the last year. The crisis is real, and it harms workers, individuals receiving services, and family members alike.
In response to this pressing issue, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, has introduced the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act. This bill would give states two years of dedicated Medicaid funds to stabilize their HCBS service delivery networks, recruit and retain direct care workers, and meet the long-term service and support needs of people eligible for Medicaid home and community-based services. In short, the Act would bring significant new federal investments to help states get people the services they need at home and in the community.