Dingell, Moolenaar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Senior Care

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and John Moolenaar (R-MI-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The PACE Improvement Act would support the expansion of current PACE programs and facilitate the establishment of new ones by giving PACE programs greater flexibility to enroll beneficiaries throughout the year, remove limitations on when entities may apply to become PACE organizations, make PACE a mandatory service under Medicaid, address outdated limitations and unnecessary constraints on the potential for the growth and expansion of PACE organizations, and more. “The PACE model has been successful in helping seniors and Americans with disabilities age and live with dignity. As the third-largest PACE state, Michigan’s PACE providers deliver critical long-term services for individuals wishing to remain in their homes. But too many Americans continue to sit on waitlists to receive home and community-based services,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “We must do more to ensure Americans have the option to live independently in the comfort of their own homes. With this bipartisan bill, we can put these long-term supports in reach for those who need them the most.” “Michigan seniors should have more choices when it comes to receiving the care they need, including the option to receive home care. This is especially true in rural communities where long-term care options can be limited,” said Congressman Moolenaar. “This bipartisan legislation expands access to the PACE program, cuts unnecessary red tape, and gives more seniors the opportunity to receive high-quality care closer to home. I am proud to support this commonsense bill and will continue working to strengthen care for seniors across our state.” The legislation is supported by the National Pace Association, PACE of Southeast Michigan, Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, American Association on Health and Disability, CommunicationFIRST, Community Catalyst, Lakeshore Foundation, LeadingAge, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, National Disability Rights Network, and Village to Village Network. “There is an incredible need for the life changing care PACE provides. More than 350,000 Michiganders are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and thousands more are already receiving long-term care because their needs have reached a nursing facility level of care. Yet PACE currently serves only about 6,500 people across our entire state. That gap represents an enormous opportunity to help more older adults remain independent, stay connected to their communities and receive the care they need,” said Brandon Young, President and CEO of PACE Southeast Michigan. “We see every day what happens when people are given that opportunity. They regain strength, increase their independence and find a meaningful sense of belonging. We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Dingell for recognizing the need and taking action to make PACE easier to access.” "I don't know where I'd be without PACE,” said Carol Jackson, a PACE Southeast Michigan participant who lives in Trenton, Michigan. “ The people here are like a family – my PACE family is my family. The elderly need places like PACE to survive on their own and be able to keep doing a lot with their lives. The people at my PACE center help all of us so much. No matter what we’re going through, they’re there for us. I'm so grateful that Debbie is supporting PACE by bringing this bill forward. I hope it passes, because there's so many more people out there who need PACE." The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a model of care that integrates Medicare and Medicaid benefits for eligible beneficiaries. It provides comprehensive medical and social services to seniors and individuals living with disabilities that enables them to live in their homes and communities rather than receiving care in an institutional setting. Congresswoman Dingell, a co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and the 21st Century Long-Term Care Caucus, and Congressman Moolenar first introduced legislation on PACE in 2023. Bill text can be viewed HERE .