NPA Applauds Passage of Bill Providing Veterans with Increased Access to PACE

WASHINGTON, DC – Dec. 16, 2024 – Passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act by the U.S. House of Representatives will give veterans increased access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) across the nation, the National PACE Association (NPA) stated today. NPA urges President Biden to sign the bill into law, noting that the legislation is a critical step in the ongoing effort to raise awareness and increase access to PACE.

“Both houses of Congress have now recognized that older veterans with VA health benefits should have the same access to home and community-based services, such as PACE, as other seniors,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of NPA. “We look forward to President Biden signing this bill into law and for the relief that it will bring to veterans and their families.”

Under current law, not all eligible veterans have ready access to home and community-based services (HCBS), particularly PACE. A section of the Dole Act, which was sponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6), would ensure that any veteran with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits who is eligible for and needs HCBS, including long-term care services and supports (LTSS), would be able to receive such care and services at home, including through PACE.

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program that allows seniors with a nursing home-level of need to be cared for while living in their own homes. The program reduces costs for state Medicaid budgets when compared to nursing homes.

Providing care at home and in the community enhances quality of life for veterans, their families and their caregivers and reduces VA health expenditures. Generally, the cost of HCBS is notably less than institutional care. According to the VA, the use of HCBS creates additional savings by delaying or avoiding admission to a nursing home and lowering the risk of preventable hospitalizations.

“Our nation has a duty to our veterans to provide them with the best care possible through their VA health benefits, and PACE is proven to provide high-quality care and reduce caregiver burden while being cost-efficient,” Bloom said. "NPA’s member PACE organizations are proud to serve veterans and eager to help more receive needed care in their preferred setting – their homes and communities. We congratulate Congress for seeking the changes this bill will make and look forward to continuing to work with them so all older adults will have affordable access to PACE."

The National PACE Association (NPA) works to advance the efforts of PACE programs, which coordinate and provide preventive, primary, acute and long-term care services so older individuals can continue living in the community. The PACE model of care is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible. For more information, visit www.NPAonline.org and follow @TweetNPA.