Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 2, 2023 -- U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), chair of the Special Committee on Aging, joined 20 other senators in introducing the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act. The bill would increase the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid HCBS, including the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), by 10 percent for two years.

This augmented funding would provide states with dedicated funds to support their HCBS efforts. The monies are intended to empower states to recruit, train, and retain direct care workers, strengthen their service delivery networks and technology, support family caregivers, and better meet the HCBS needs of people eligible for Medicaid. The National PACE Association (NPA) strongly supports this legislation.

The proposed legislation builds upon Sen. Casey’s successful efforts to ensure the American Rescue Plan of 2021 contained a similar provision. Congress provided states with a 10 percent FMAP increase for Medicaid HCBS services, including PACE, from April 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022. These funds helped a number of states to sustain and intensify their PACE offerings, as well as other HCBS.

“NPA is grateful for Sen. Casey’s leadership and his championing of legislation that makes it easier for seniors to age in their homes, including through PACE programs,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of the National PACE Association. “We will continue to work alongside other stakeholders toward passage of the HCBS Relief Act.”

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 2, 2023 -- U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), chair of the Special Committee on Aging, joined 20 other senators in introducing the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act. The bill would increase the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid HCBS, including the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), by 10 percent for two years.

This augmented funding would provide states with dedicated funds to support their HCBS efforts. The monies are intended to empower states to recruit, train, and retain direct care workers, strengthen their service delivery networks and technology, support family caregivers, and better meet the HCBS needs of people eligible for Medicaid. The National PACE Association (NPA) strongly supports this legislation.

The proposed legislation builds upon Sen. Casey’s successful efforts to ensure the American Rescue Plan of 2021 contained a similar provision. Congress provided states with a 10 percent FMAP increase for Medicaid HCBS services, including PACE, from April 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022. These funds helped a number of states to sustain and intensify their PACE offerings, as well as other HCBS.

“NPA is grateful for Sen. Casey’s leadership and his championing of legislation that makes it easier for seniors to age in their homes, including through PACE programs,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of the National PACE Association. “We will continue to work alongside other stakeholders toward passage of the HCBS Relief Act.”