Rep. Ritchie Torres Leads Bicameral New York Delegation in Urging CMS and OMB to Halt Medicare Home Health Cuts

Resources / In the News Share on Rep. Ritchie Torres Leads Bicameral New York Delegation in Urging CMS and OMB to Halt Medicare Home Health Cuts Jun 15, 2026 In the News WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), joined by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Reps. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), George Latimer (NY-16), John Mannion (NY-22), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Grace Meng (NY-06), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Josh Riley (NY-19), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), sent a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought urging them to stabilize Medicare home health payment rates ahead of the CY 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System proposed rule. New York is in the midst of a severe home health access crisis. Since 2018, Medicare home health use in the state has dropped by an estimated 26%, leaving more than 262,000 Medicare enrollees without needed care. In 2024, 40% of patients referred to home health after hospitalization never received services, with rates reaching two-thirds or more in many parts of the state. New York has lost 29 home health agencies since 2018, including nine in 2024 and 2025 alone. Years of inadequate payment updates have driven the collapse. Since 2015, Medicare home health payment updates have grown only about 5.6%, compared to 36.4% for skilled nursing facilities and 34.1% for inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Last year, CMS cut home health payments by a net 1.3%. Further cuts in the CY 2027 rule would deepen an already worsening crisis by straining hospitals, delaying discharges, and leaving more seniors without access to care at home. “Home health care is a lifeline for seniors, people with disabilities, and the families who care for them,” said Rep. Torres. “New York is in the middle of a home health access crisis, and the Bronx cannot afford another round of cuts. I am proud to lead a bicameral coalition of New York members in urging the administration to deliver a rule that protects access and keeps care in the home for the New Yorkers who depend on it.” The delegation is calling on CMS and OMB to ensure payment rates reflect current labor costs and patient acuity, eliminate the $4.76 billion in future cuts currently designated as “Temporary Adjustments,” and protect access in high-need urban, suburban, and rural communities across New York. The full letter reads: “As members of the New York State Congressional delegation, we write to express our strong concern regarding the continued underfunding of Medicare home health care and the risk of further payment reductions in the upcoming CY 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System proposed rule. New York is already experiencing a severe home health access crisis. Since 2018, Medicare home health use in New York State has declined by an estimated 26%, leaving more than 262,000 Medicare enrollees without needed home health care. “This decline is occurring while New York hospitals face overcrowding, discharge delays, workforce shortages, and growing pressure to safely move medically complex patients into the community. In 2024, 40% of patients referred to home health after hospitalization did not receive care, with rates reaching twothirds or more in many areas. New York State has also lost 29 home health agencies since 2018, including nine in 2024 and 2025. “Last year, CMS cut home health payments by 1.3% (2.4% payment increase offset by 3.7% in reductions), the latest installment in years of cuts and inadequate payment updates that have decimated the home health care system. Since 2015, Medicare home health payment updates have increased only about 5.6%, compared with 36.4% for skilled nursing facilities and 34.1% for inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Meanwhile, home health agencies face rising labor costs, higher patient acuity, and growing demand from hospitals and families seeking care at home. This is the primary reason agencies have closed and access has collapsed. “We urge CMS and OMB to use the CY 2027 rulemaking process to stabilize the Medicare home health benefit by: 1. Ensuring payment rates reflect current labor costs, patient acuity, and access challenges, including payment updates that correct for years of cuts and underfunding; 2. Eliminating the $4.76 billion in future cuts called “Temporary Adjustments”; and 3. Protecting access in high-need urban, suburban, and rural communities across New York. “Home health care is not optional. It is essential to safe hospital discharge, aging in place, caregiver support, and avoiding higher-cost institutional care. Further cuts will deepen disparities, worsen hospital overcrowding, and leave more seniors without the care they need.” ### Share on