In a significant move ahead of the 2024 US Presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled a plan to expand Medicare coverage for senior citizens, focusing on long-term care. This new initiative, announced via a social media post, aims to address the growing need for at-home care for ailing seniors.
Under the current structure of Medicare, the US public health insurance program, coverage is primarily limited to hospital services. This new proposal would introduce a ‘Medicare at Home’ benefit, designed to provide financial assistance for in-home care under specific circumstances.
Harris, a Democratic candidate, highlighted the challenges faced by families in providing long-term care, drawing on her own personal experience with her mother’s cancer treatment. In her social media post, she stated, “Today, I am announcing a new historic Medicare at Home benefit as part of my plan to help families with caregiving needs and strengthen Medicare for the long-term. Over 67 million people are covered by Medicare, yet many Americans don’t realize that Medicare does not cover long-term services and assistance like home health aides.”
This proposal marks a potential shift in the approach to elder care in the United States, bringing the issue to the forefront of the 2024 presidential campaign. It remains to be seen how this plan will be received by the public and the impact it will have on the ongoing political debate.
