Vice President Kamala Harris Proposes Affordable At-Home Elder Care Plan on “The View”

Vice President Kamala Harris made a groundbreaking announcement on “The View” on Tuesday, revealing a new economic and health care proposal aimed at making at-home elder care more affordable. Harris, who shared her personal experience of caring for her sick mother, emphasized the challenges faced by the “sandwich generation” of Americans juggling the responsibilities of caring for both children and aging parents.

The proposal includes expanding Medicare services to cover at-home elder care for the first time, a move that could significantly benefit Black and brown Americans, according to Hillary Holley, executive director at Care in Action. Holley highlighted the financial burden faced by families who are unaware that Medicare does not currently cover long-term aging care, causing fear and uncertainty.

To fund the plan, Harris intends to leverage a Biden-era law that allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, ultimately saving revenue that can be redirected towards at-home care. The proposal also aims to increase wages for care workers and provide federal paid leave for home care workers, addressing critical issues in the care system.

Holley emphasized the importance of addressing the disparities in the care system, particularly impacting Black and brown communities. She praised Harris for her personal understanding of the challenges faced by care workers and family caregivers, noting that policymakers need to approach policy-making with a personal perspective.

Advocates like Holley have been engaging with lawmakers to share personal stories and highlight the urgent need for reform in the home care system. By emphasizing the human impact of these issues, they hope to bridge political divides and push for meaningful change that benefits all Americans.