Supporting Our Seniors Act
The Supporting Our Seniors Act would create a new Commission on Long-Term Care to study and make policy recommendations on how to improve long-term care in the United States. The 12-member commission would include appointments by the President and congressional leaders and would be required to cover a broad set of topics, including coverage for people who do not qualify for Medicaid, aging in place, financing for low- and middle-income individuals, caregiver supports and workforce stability, access to comprehensive and palliative care, and affordability. The commission would issue annual policy recommendations to Congress, the President, federal agencies, and the public, and would interact with several established groups and agencies (e.g., MedPAC, MACPAC, state aging agencies). It would have authority to hold hearings, request information from federal agencies, and hire staff, with a sunset after 10 years. The bill envisions this commission as an ongoing, advisory body to inform long-term care policy. It sets up procedures for appointments, meetings, and reporting, and it authorizes funding as necessary. While the commission’s recommendations would guide policymakers, implementation would require subsequent legislation or agency action. The act emphasizes collaboration across stakeholders and federal and state agencies to address the cost, accessibility, and quality of long-term care.
Key Points
- 1Establishment and membership: Creates the 12-member Commission on Long-Term Care, with appointments by the President (6 members), the Speaker (2), the House minority leader (1), the Senate majority leader (2), and the Senate minority leader (1); members must have relevant experience in fields like palliative/hospice care, home-based services, aging, disability advocacy, long-term care financing, and caregiving.
- 2Annual policy recommendations: The Commission must deliver policy recommendations within 1 year after enactment and then annually, addressing topics such as non-Medicaid-eligible long-term care coverage, aging in place, financing for low- and middle-income individuals, caregiver supports and workforce stability, access to comprehensive and palliative care, affordability, and wraparound community services.
- 3Interaction and accountability: The Commission must regularly consult with stakeholder groups, MedPAC, MACPAC, and state/county aging agencies; federal agencies affected by recommendations must respond within 6 months with a plan to address the recommendations.
- 4Powers and operations: The Commission can hold hearings, gather information, conduct meetings (including via video/remote technology), request information from federal agencies, accept gifts, and hire staff (including an executive director) with pay restrictions and travel allowances for members.
- 5Duration and funding: The Commission is terminated 10 years after enactment; funding is authorized as necessary to carry out the Act.