Moolenaar’s bipartisan bill would expand all-inclusive care for senior citizens

A bipartisan bill introduced on Dec. 5 by U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) would improve access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which helps adults ages 55+ who are living with chronic healthcare needs and/or disabilities receive community-based healthcare services and support.

“This common-sense, bipartisan legislation will cut through red-tape and make sure that the PACE program is available to more seniors,” Rep. Moolenaar said. “I am proud to introduce this legislation and I will continue to advocate for Michigan seniors.”

The congressman cosponsored the PACE Expanded Act, H.R. 6590, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), to support expansion of the current PACE programs and facilitate the establishment of new ones.

To do so, H.R. 6590 would provide greater flexibility to enroll beneficiaries throughout the year, improving PACE access and affordability for Medicare-only beneficiaries, and establishing a pilot program to help test PACE models in new populations, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“Michigan seniors deserve to have options when they need access to reliable long-term care, including the option to receive home care,” said Rep. Moolenaar. “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.”

H.R. 6590, which is supported by the National PACE Association and the PACE Association of Michigan, has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.

Rep. Dingell pointed out that PACE providers in Michigan, which is the third-largest PACE state, deliver critical long-term supportive services. 

“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 said. “We must do more to ensure Americans have the option to live independently in the comfort of their own homes.”