Vice President Kamala Harris mentioned Tuesday that she intends for Medicare to pay for long-term, in-home well being take care of a broader group of seniors, one thing she says this system can pay for by negotiating decrease drug costs.
Harris described the define of her proposal on ABC’s “The View,” saying the proposal will significantly assist folks within the so-called “sandwich” era — these concurrently caring for kids and growing older mother and father.
“Principally what we’ll do is permit Medicare to cowl in-home well being care,” the Democratic nominee for president mentioned.
“As a result of we’re speaking about these sorts of issues the place it is nearly serving to an growing older dad or mum or individual put together a meal,” Harris continued. “Put their sweater on. And it is about dignity for that particular person, it is about independence for that particular person. Persons are of declining expertise to some extent, however their dignity has not declined, their pleasure has not declined.”
Medicare already covers in-home well being care as much as 35 hours per week for seniors who’re deemed homebound or whose sickness deems such assist needed. Seniors who require greater than “intermittent” care do not qualify, based on the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Companies. Harris’ proposal would seemingly develop the definition of who qualifies for in-home assist, though her marketing campaign hasn’t but elaborated on the small print.
Harris did not say on the present how a lot her proposal would price. She mentioned Medicare would cowl the prices by negotiating drug costs with pharmaceutical firms, though it is not but clear if these financial savings could be ample to fund a probable huge expense. The Biden administration has efficiently negotiated decrease costs for some medication coated by Medicare with pharmaceutical firms.
“There are such a lot of people who find themselves proper within the center. They’re taking good care of their children and so they’re taking good care of their growing older mother and father,” mentioned Harris. She mentioned many People have to go away their job and supply of earnings to take care of an growing older liked one.
Harris has mentioned the problem is private for her as she cared for her mom, Shyamala Gopalan, when she was recognized with colon most cancers practically twenty years in the past. She died in 2009.
Requested to distinguish herself from Mr. Biden, Harris mentioned they’re “totally different folks” who convey totally different “sensibilities” to the job, mentioning her expertise with residence well being care and deal with small companies. However pressed to distinguish herself from Mr. Biden on coverage, Harris didn’t. One of many present’s co-hosts requested Harris if she would have performed one thing otherwise than the president over the last 4 years.
“There’s not a factor that involves thoughts by way of — and I have been part of many of the selections which have had influence,” she mentioned.
On “The View,” the vp additionally warned Floridians to take Hurricane Milton severely, because it barrels towards Florida’s western coast. Floridians are nonetheless recovering from Hurricane Helene, which slammed the state’s Large Bend area on Sept. 26.
“This one is gonna be totally different,” Harris mentioned of Milton.
The White Home on Tuesday introduced the president is canceling his journey to Angola and Germany this week so he can stay in Washington, D.C., overseeing the federal preparation for and response to the storm.
