Rep. Linda Sánchez Introduces Legislation to Make Adult Day Care Available
June 25, 2009

Bill gives seniors, people with disabilities, and families option to choose adult day care under Medicare

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) introduced the Medicare Adult Day Care Services Act which would allow seniors, people with disabilities, and their families by including adult day care as a covered service in Medicare.

“Adult day care is a family-friendly option for seniors who require rehabilitation and other assistance with daily life tasks, but don’t require 24-hour care,” said Rep. Linda Sánchez. “The Medicare Adult Day Care Services Act is a cost-effective way to add more choice to Medicare because it would pay adult day care providers 98% of the home health rate and give our seniors the option to choose adult day care. This not only helps the patient but the patient’s family who most likely has another job in addition to being a fulltime caregiver.”

In addition to increasing choices for seniors and people with disabilities, this bill would provide a vital service to family caregivers. These caregivers (who are primarily women and who typically come from families with lower average incomes than non-caregiving families) lose an average of $659,139 in wages, pension benefits, and Social Security benefits over a lifetime, so providing Medicare beneficiaries the option of adult day care helps protect incomes for family caregivers without adding to the cost of Medicare.

“The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the National Adult Day Services Association, Easter Seals, the National Council on Aging, and the Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina, Arkansas, Arizona, Wisconsin, California, and New York Adult Day Associations commend Rep. Sanchez for promoting the use of quality, cost-effective medical adult day services as a way to improve Medicare post-acute services for older adults and persons with disabilities,” said Larry Minnix, CEO of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Click here to read A Maturing Option: Day Care for Seniors, a compelling story on adult day care.