Vice President Kamala Harris stated 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 pays for by way of negotiating decrease drug costs.
Harris described the define of her proposal on ABC’s “The View,” saying the proposal will notably assist folks within the so-called “sandwich” era — these concurrently caring for youngsters and getting old dad and mom.
“Principally what we’ll do is enable Medicare to cowl in-home well being care,” the Democratic nominee for president stated.
“As a result of we’re speaking about these sorts of issues the place it is nearly serving to an getting old guardian 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. Individuals are of declining expertise to some extent, however their dignity has not declined, their delight 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, in keeping with the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers. Harris’ proposal would seemingly broaden 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 value. She stated Medicare would cowl the prices by negotiating drug costs with pharmaceutical firms, though it is not but clear if these financial savings could be adequate to fund a probable large 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 they usually’re taking good care of their getting old dad and mom,” stated Harris. She stated many People have to depart their job and supply of earnings to take care of an getting old beloved one.
Harris has stated 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 stated they’re “completely different folks” who convey completely different “sensibilities” to the job, mentioning her expertise with house 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 completed one thing otherwise than the president over the last 4 years.
“There may be not a factor that involves thoughts when it comes to — and I have been part of many of the choices which have had impression,” she stated.
On “The View,” the vp additionally warned Floridians to take Hurricane Milton critically, because it barrels towards Florida’s western coast. Floridians are nonetheless recovering from Hurricane Helene, which slammed the state’s Huge Bend area on Sept. 26.
“This one is gonna be completely different,” Harris stated 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.
