SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, has introduced new legislation to stop looming cuts to Medicare’s home health program. The Home Health Stabilization Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Oklahoma, would block the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed 6.4% funding reduction for fiscal year 2026—an estimated $1.13 billion cut compared to current spending levels.
The measure would freeze spending reductions for two years, giving Congress and healthcare providers time to craft a more sustainable long-term payment model. Sewell said the legislation is essential to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities can continue accessing affordable home-based care.
“Home health services are a lifeline for Alabama families,” Sewell said. “The impending cuts would leave lasting negative impacts on patients and their caregivers. This bill is about protecting access and ensuring our healthcare system works for everyone.”
Rep. Hern emphasized the importance of home health in rural states like Oklahoma, where patients may live hours away from hospitals. He warned that cutting payments would push more people into costlier institutional care, ultimately raising Medicare’s expenses.
The proposal has gained support from major healthcare advocates, including LeadingAge, the National Alliance for Care at Home, and the American Hospital Association. Industry leaders argue that repeated cuts—nearly 9% since 2023—are unsustainable and risk forcing providers to shut down. Since 2020, more than 1,000 home health agencies have already closed nationwide.
Katie Smith Sloan, CEO of LeadingAge, called the bill “a critical step to preserve access to care and give providers breathing room.” Dr. Steve Landers of the National Alliance for Care at Home added that the pause would allow time to correct methodological errors and strengthen the system.
CMS is expected to finalize its rule in November, but Sewell and Hern’s bill could alter the outcome.