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How the budget pledge is improving access to quality, affordable health care

How the budget pledge is improving access to quality, affordable health care

President Biden’s announcement of a $150 billion pledge to home and community-based services (HCBS) has been met with widespread approval from advocates and organizations that serve the elderly and individuals with disabilities. This new budget signals a major shift in how healthcare is delivered, with much greater emphasis on home-based care over institutional care. 

“We are thrilled to see the White House’s commitment to homecare in the United States with an unprecedented $150 billion pledge, part of President Biden’s $2 trillion American Jobs Plan. This investment will help millions of people across the country get access to high-quality care while improving the quality of jobs for home care workers. We thank President Biden and the administration for recognizing the value of home care as part of the care continuum and their commitment to helping Americans age in place safely and with dignity.”

Adrian Schauer, AlayaCare founder and CEO 

The recent pandemic has highlighted the importance of home-based care, as many individuals prefer to receive care in their homes to avoid exposure to the virus. Home-based care also reduces the burden on hospitals and long-term care facilities, freeing up resources for more critical clients. This funding will help meet the increasing demand for home-based care and support HCBS providers, who play a vital role in improving clients’ quality of life. 

Benefits of using home-based care over institutional care 

Home-based care offers numerous advantages over institutional care, but most importantly a client’s quality of life outcomes because of its more intimate nature.  Home-based care benefits that contribute to improving quality of life outcomes include: 

1. Increased independence and personal choice 

Home-based care can offer increased independence and personal choice over institutional care due to its more individualized approach. Clients can choose the services that best meet their needs, as well as control when and how often these services are used.  

2. Lower costs 

Home-based care can provide the same level of medical assistance as an institutional setting at a fraction of the cost – this is because home-based care utilizes fewer resources as it is focused on needing only those necessary for the individual client’s needs.  

3. Supportive relationships with family members or caregivers 

Having family members or caregivers involved in home-based care provides caregivers with a greater understanding of the client’s needs and helps them manage their care better. 

4. Access to a wide range of tailored services 

Home-based care offers access to a wide range of tailored services that can be customized to meet the specific needs of the client. Having access to these tailored services allows clients to receive the best quality care possible and enables family members or caregivers to provide better support which can result in improved outcomes for clients. 

5. Use of technology such as self-management tools 

Home-based care can offer the use of self-management tools over institutional care due to its greater access to technology and resources.  

Financial Implications of the Budget Pledge 

The Financial Implications of the Budget Pledge for the expansion of HCBS programs can be significant. With increased funding comes an increased demand for home and community-based care workers which can have several positive implications.  

  • It creates more opportunities for individuals to receive quality care in their own homes or communities, reducing reliance on hospital visits and long-term healthcare costs.  
  • It increases the need for qualified home and community-care workers who must be trained and provided with the necessary resources to deliver quality services.  
  • It provides an economic boost in certain communities as there is increased demand for these services.  
  • It helps ease the burden on families by giving them access to care options that are close to home. 

The budget pledge may help reduce costs associated with hospital visits and other long-term healthcare costs by providing individuals with access to care in their own homes or communities.  

  • It helps reduce the need for costly hospital visits, as well as reduce the overall cost of care by allowing individuals to receive treatment at home or nearby.  
  • It provides more resources for home and community-based care workers so they can deliver more efficient and cost-effective care, which can help reduce overall healthcare costs. 

The budget pledge can have a positive impact on community health centers and training & support programs by increasing the amount of available funding.

  • It allows these centers to expand services, hire more staff, purchase new equipment, and provide ongoing training and support for professionals in the healthcare field.  
  • It helps increase access to affordable and quality healthcare services for individuals in underserved communities. 
  • It provides an economic boost in certain areas, as there is now increased demand for trained healthcare workers and resources.
  • It can help ease the burden on families by giving them access to care options that are close to home at an affordable price. 

President Biden’s pledge of $150 billion for HCBS in the new budget is a significant step towards improving healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable populations. Home-based care provides clients with greater independence, improved quality of life, and lower costs compared to institutional care settings. This funding will support the expansion of HCBS programs, benefiting clients and taxpayers alike. Additionally, technology will play a crucial role in supporting the expansion of home-based care, further improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. 

Against this backdrop for 2023, opportunities will emerge for providers of home and continuing care that could mark success for years to come. It will require outside-the-box thinking, key internal investments, and strategic capitalization on surging public demand and political needs.

Download the report on the top predictions for home-based care in 2023, to learn more about what opportunities lie ahead for the industry.

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