NPA Applauds Congress Calling on CMS to Explore Increasing Access to PACE
WASHINGTON, DC – Feb. 9, 2026 – Legislation passed this week to keep the government open also contained a call to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to explore ways to increase access to Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
“The legislation recognizes we must do better to serve our seniors, particularly as we look to the increasing number of seniors needing care as the baby boom generation ages,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of the National PACE Association (NPA). “We are grateful to Congress recognizing PACE as an important foundation to build upon to meet the demands of the future. We look forward to working with the administration to simplify PACE enrollment and the opening of new PACE centers.”
President Trump signed H.R. 7148 into law on Tuesday, carrying forward language that Rep. John Moolenar (R-MI-2) and Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jack Reed (D-RI) worked with their congressional colleagues to include in the bill. NPA thanks these leaders for their ongoing support of PACE.
PACE is a proven long-term care model that cares for seniors with health care needs in the community instead of a nursing home. PACE provides all needed health care and services though an interdisciplinary team of providers operating out of a PACE center. The PACE model of care has been growing rapidly across the country. Today, nearly 200 organizations operate PACE centers, and approximately 100,000 seniors are enrolled in the program nationwide.
The bill points to sections of the House and Senate reports accompanying prior bills (H.R. 5304 and S. 2587).
“Given the increasing demand for home and community-based services by older adults and those living with disabilities,” the report by the House Appropriations Committee stated, “the committee encourages the secretary to move forward expeditiously on PACE-specific model tests. Examining methods of increasing access and affordability for this comprehensive, coordinated, integrated and fully risk-bearing model of care will allow more Medicare beneficiaries, Medicaid beneficiaries and dually eligible individuals to age in place cost-effectively and with better health outcomes.”
To learn more about PACE and the National PACE Association, visit npaonline.org. To find a PACE program near you, visit npaonline.org/find-a-pace-program.
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 us on social media.