East Michigan News

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell have reintroduced the PACE Expanded Act, a piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The PACE Expanded Act seeks to expand and improve current PACE programs while also facilitating the establishment of new ones. This will be achieved by granting PACE programs greater flexibility in enrolling beneficiaries throughout the year, enhancing access and affordability for Medicare-only beneficiaries, and implementing a pilot program to test PACE models in new populations.

Congressman Moolenaar emphasized the importance of providing options for Michigan seniors in need of reliable long-term care, particularly the option to receive home care. He stated, "This legislation ensures that this option is available to seniors and helps make sure that they don't need to travel long distances to get the care they need." Moolenaar further expressed his commitment to advocating for Michigan seniors and highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation.

Congresswoman Dingell, recognizing the success of the PACE model in supporting seniors and individuals with disabilities, stressed the need to expand access to PACE programs. She emphasized that Michigan's PACE providers play a crucial role in delivering essential long-term supportive services to individuals who prefer to remain in their homes. Dingell stated, "Access to this program makes a real difference, but hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to sit on waitlists to receive home and community-based services." She urged for more efforts to ensure that Americans have the option to live independently in the comfort of their own homes.

The National PACE Association and the PACE Association of Michigan have expressed their support for the PACE Expanded Act. Shawn Bloom, President and CEO of the National PACE Association, highlighted the growing need to expand access to PACE programs, stating, "Families need options like PACE that keep their loved ones living in the community for as long as possible." The PACE Association of Michigan also commended the collaboration between Representatives Dingell and Moolenaar, recognizing their ongoing commitment to expanding access to PACE and improving the lives of older Americans with long-term care needs.

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a model of care that integrates Medicare and Medicaid benefits for eligible beneficiaries. PACE provides comprehensive medical and social services to seniors and individuals living with disabilities, enabling them to live in their homes and communities instead of receiving care in an institutional setting. Congresswoman Dingell, who is a co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and the 21st Century Long-Term Care Caucus, previously introduced the PACE Plus Act to support the expansion of PACE.

In conclusion, the reintroduction of the PACE Expanded Act by Congressman Moolenaar and Congresswoman Dingell highlights their dedication to strengthening senior care through the enhancement of PACE programs. The proposed legislation aims to expand access to PACE, provide greater flexibility in enrollment, and improve affordability for Medicare-only beneficiaries. With the support of the National PACE Association and the PACE Association of Michigan, the PACE Expanded Act represents a significant step towards ensuring that seniors and individuals with long-term care needs can live their best lives at home.

To learn more, click on this link: https://moolenaar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/moolenaar-dingell-introduce-pace-expanded-act-strengthen-senior-care-1