On October 30, 2023, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) announced that he will be retiring from Congress after his current term is up at the end of 2024. Representative Blumenauer has been, and remains, one of the most passionate and steadfast champions for improving end-of-life and serious illness care, and the opportunity for care in the home for all Americans.

Over his 27-year career representing Oregon’s third district, Congressman Blumenauer has been a leader on numerous policy issues important to NAHC members and the patients and families they serve, including creation of Medicare’s advance care planning codes, new payment and delivery models of upstream advanced illness care, strengthening hospice program integrity, seeking administrative burden relief for high-quality providers caught up in the complex web of hospice audit practices, and catalyzing important conversations about the future of the hospice benefit. Congressman Blumenauer was also a leader in the home health area, championing efforts to improve access to care, empowering patient choice in determining their health care providers, and optimizing eligibility determinations in home health.

“NAHC is grateful to the Congressman and his staff over the years for their partnership and openness to collaboration,” said NAHC President William A. Dombi. “It is Representative Blumenauer’s genuine desire to ensure the sickest patients and their families receive person-centered care at the most vulnerable times in their lives has driven his leadership on so many critical policy areas. We thank him for his years of selfless service, and look forward to continuing to work with him through the remainder of his final term.”    

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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 http://www.nahc.org.