NAHC Statement on the White House’s FY 2020 Budget

March 12, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Thomas Threlkeld Director of Communications 202-547-7424/ tom@nahc.org

NAHC Statement on the White House’s FY 2020 Budget

The White House budget for FY 2020 includes a number of previously proposed initiatives and legislative reforms that would have direct impact on home care and hospice services. These include:

• $101.2 Billion in cuts to post-acute care through reductions in annual inflation updates and the institution of a unified payment model for all Medicare post-acute care services.
• Authorization for Medicaid per-capita caps or block granting reducing federal financial support by $1.4 Trillion over 10 years
• User fees for unsuccessful Medicare appeals at the ALJ and Appeals Council levels
• Program integrity measures such as expanded prior authorization for unspecified services, civil monetary penalties for provider enrollment deficiencies, and financial penalties to physicians who have flawed documentation

“The White House budget raises some important concerns for home care and hospice with proposals for block granting Medicaid and instituting rate cuts for Medicare post-acute services,” stated William A. Dombi, president of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice. “It is crucial that support for home care and hospice be increased as the value of these services grows with innovation, efficiencies, and quality improvement,“ he added. “We look forward to working with the Administration and the Congress as we tackle the challenges of health care delivery together.”

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About National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC)

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is the voice of home care and hospice. NAHC represents the nation’s 33,000 home care and hospice providers, along with the more than two million nurses, therapists, and aides they employ. These caregivers provide vital services to Americans who are aged, disabled, and ill. Some 12 million patients depend on home care and hospice providers, who depend on NAHC for the best in advocacy, education, and information. NAHC is a nonprofit organization that helps its members maintain the highest standards of care. To learn more, visit nahc.org.