With less than two weeks until the expected release of the Medicare Home Health Final Rule, more than 150 organizations are calling on Congress to block what would be the largest rate cut ever for home health providers.
The letter, led by the National Home Care Alliance and Leading Age, said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was destabilizing the home health program and asked Congressional leaders to intervene.
“Medical facilities continue to close or scale back, hospitals struggle to discharge patients, and families have fewer care options for their loved ones,” the letter said. “With the 2026 payment rules under consideration and the November 1 deadline approaching, we urge you to intervene quickly and ask CMS to halt the cuts and realign payments.”
Signatories, including health care providers, patients, communities, and advocacy groups, addressed the letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
According to the letter, the current Medicare payment system and CMS' three-year track record of reducing home health costs depart from Congress' 2018 budget neutrality requirements.
“CMS' actions continue to compromise access for millions of older adults and people with disabilities, force taxpayers to shoulder the high costs of increased hospitalizations and facility-based care, and put the Medicare Trust Fund at risk,” the letter said.
CMS' proposed rules announced in June included a reduction in payments equal to 9% of the 30-day base payment rate. The letter is the latest in a growing number of protests against the proposed rule. Home health care leaders have spoken out, and organizations have launched a multifaceted advocacy effort. CMS received more than 950,000 public comments from healthcare providers, patients, and other stakeholders on the widely opposed proposed rule.
Since the proposed rule was announced, lawmakers have introduced legislation that would suspend Medicare home health reimbursement rate reductions in 2026 and 2027, but the future of the bill remains uncertain.
As the final rule's release date approaches, officials say they will not stop their advocacy efforts.
“The current proposed cuts to Medicare home health benefits are unsustainable and would be seriously harmful to those who rely on home health care,” Dr. Steve Landers, CEO of the alliance, said in a statement. “The Alliance will continue to work with our policymakers and stakeholder allies to oppose these harmful cuts and protect access to home health services for millions of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their families.”
