In-Home CARE Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3271
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T12:18:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The In-Home Caregiver Assessment Resources and Education Act (In-Home CARE Act) aims to strengthen support for family caregivers by funding programs that help them provide better in-home care. This enables individuals with chronic health conditions, disabilities, or functional limitations to stay at home longer, potentially delaying or avoiding the need for hospital or institutional care.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program: The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), will award competitive 3-year grants to eligible organizations (such as local government agencies, health care providers, or nonprofits with relevant experience) to run home visiting programs for family caregivers.
- Definitions:
- Family caregiver: An adult family member or close relation who provides in-home help with monitoring, managing, or treating someone with a chronic illness, disability, or daily living challenges.
- Caregiver assessment: A process to gather information from the caregiver (via home visits, phone, internet, or in-person) to identify their needs, barriers, and supports, leading to tailored recommendations.
- Application Requirements: Organizations must submit detailed plans covering outreach to high-need caregivers (e.g., those untrained or handling complex medical tasks), services provided (directly or via referrals), gap identification in community support, expertise in assessments and training, and understanding of diverse caregiver demographics (e.g., age, race, socioeconomic status).
- Authorized Services:
- Initial home visits for caregiver assessments and follow-up planning.
- Education and training on topics like medication management, wound care, nutrition, fall prevention, mental health support, daily activities, family involvement, community resources, and self-care.
- Referrals for physical/mental health care, transportation, home modifications, respite care (temporary relief for caregivers), adult day services, support groups, and legal aid.
- Coordination with state and community agencies.
- Priorities for Funding: Preference for organizations that best address community needs, offer post-program contact (up to 6 months via phone, email, or video), have a track record in caregiver support, use evidence-based methods (proven effective approaches), or show program sustainability (e.g., through matching funds).
- Coordination and Support:
- HHS must align with programs like the National Family Caregiver Support Program, Lifespan Respite Care, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to prevent overlapping services.
- A Technical Assistance Center will provide evidence-based models, training, question support, and information sharing among grantees to maximize resources and avoid duplication.
- Evaluation and Reporting:
- Annual evaluations starting 2 years after enactment, assessing outcomes like reduced hospitalizations/institutionalizations, cost savings, better community connections, improved care quality, and enhanced quality of life (e.g., less stress, better mood).
- A report to Congress 1 year before grants end, with recommendations on program changes, expansion, and extension.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 255 et seq.) by adding a new Section 339A under Subpart IV of Part D, Title III. It introduces a dedicated grant program for family caregiver home visits, which did not previously exist in this form. It builds on but does not alter existing programs like the National Family Caregiver Support Program, emphasizing coordination to integrate with them rather than replacing any provisions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HHS (via ACL) and CMS will manage grants, evaluations, and a technical assistance center, increasing administrative workload but promoting efficient use of funds. VA may see better alignment for veteran caregivers, potentially reducing federal healthcare costs through fewer institutional placements.
- On Citizens: Family caregivers gain access to assessments, training, and referrals, improving their skills and well-being, which could reduce burnout and health issues. Care recipients benefit from enhanced home-based support, leading to better quality of life and delayed need for costly institutional care. Overall, it may lower national healthcare spending by promoting "aging in place" (staying home longer).
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. health services.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Family Caregivers: Primary beneficiaries, especially untrained ones providing complex care or serving high-risk individuals.
- Individuals Requiring Care: Those with chronic conditions, disabilities, or functional limitations, who may experience improved home environments and health outcomes.
- Eligible Organizations: Local governments, health entities, and nonprofits that receive grants and deliver services.
- Government Entities: HHS, VA, and CMS, which coordinate and fund the program; state and community agencies involved in referrals.
- Broader Community: Diverse groups (e.g., by age, race, military status) facing caregiver needs, including underserved populations with unmet support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for funding, leaving appropriation levels to Congress, which is standard but ensures flexibility without mandating specific budgets. It emphasizes evidence-based practices and evaluations, promoting accountability without creating new regulatory burdens.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it operates under Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) to support public health and welfare, aligning with federal roles in health services.
- Political: Introduced by Senators Booker and Kim (suggesting bipartisan interest in caregiver support), the bill addresses growing demands from an aging population and caregiver shortages. It could influence future health policy by highlighting cost-effective home care, potentially paving the way for expansions in long-term services without major partisan divides.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- In-Home Caregiver Assessment Resources and Education Act — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (12 pages)