Congress Weighs 2 Senior-Care Bills to Revisit 2013 Home Care Rule
Updated
Updated · independentwomen.com · Jun 10
Congress Weighs 2 Senior-Care Bills to Revisit 2013 Home Care Rule
1 articles · Updated · independentwomen.com · Jun 10
Summary
Two competing bills in Congress would take opposite paths on senior care, with one preserving the current home-care framework and another rolling back restrictions tied to the 2013 Home Care Rule.
The dispute centers on the Fair Labor Standards Act’s companionship exemption, which critics say was narrowed in 2013 and made flexible in-home help harder to find and more expensive for families.
That squeeze has pushed some relatives to leave the workforce, rely on off-the-books arrangements, or move seniors into institutions despite a strong preference for aging at home.
The debate extends beyond regulation to workforce shortages, with proposals including an au pair-style senior-care model, domestic caregiver programs, pilot projects, and broader use of HSAs and FSAs for care costs.
With new rules limiting home health agencies, where will families find reliable care for aging relatives?
As senior care costs continue to soar, could an 'au pair' model solve America's looming elder care crisis?
Home Care in Crisis: 15 Million at Risk from Medicaid Cuts and Workforce Rollbacks in 2025-2026
Overview
The federal landscape for home care in 2025-2026 is shaped by a very narrow House Republican majority, making it difficult to pass major legislation. Public sentiment is divided, with nearly half of Americans doubting President Trump’s long-term success, especially among Democrats. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has led to historic healthcare cuts, including about $1 trillion slashed from Medicaid, causing millions to lose coverage. These changes threaten access to home care for vulnerable groups, as states respond by reducing Medicaid enrollment and benefits, highlighting the deep impact of federal decisions on everyday care and worker stability.