New Year, New Congress
The recently seated 119th Congress is welcoming new members & homecare allies
By Juliana Frederick
It’s a new year, which means a new Congress and shifting roles for some of homecare’s allies on Capitol Hill. Here’s a look at what’s changing within the 119th Congress this year.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)
Thune is the incoming Senate majority leader. He sponsored S 1294 to extend the Medicare 75/25 blended rate for non-rural, non-competitive bidding area home medical equipment (HME) suppliers, as well as multiple bills linked to senior access to care. Thune is a longtime advocate for rural health care and expanding telehealth.
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)
Crapo is the incoming chair of the Senate Finance Committee. According to the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare), Crapo is well-versed on and supportive of many HME policy issues.
Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.)
Guthrie is the incoming chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He has sponsored bills in support of Alzheimer’s, dementia care and nursing home staffing, and is an advocate for health care affordability.
Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.)
Sewell is a minority member of the House Ways and Means Committee and its Subcommittee on Health. She previously helped introduce HR 8581, the Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022.
Departing Allies
Congress members who are saying goodbye this year include:
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)
Did not seek reelection in 2024. Stabenow sponsored the Preserving Access to Home Health Act, Competitive Bidding Relief Act and other homecare bills. Additionally, she was inducted into the Michigan Home Care Hall of Fame.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)
Did not seek reelection in 2024. Rodgers was chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a longtime supporter of homecare. She worked to push back on competitive bidding and to protect durable medical equipment access in rural areas.
Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.)
An advocate for HME, Bucshon spoke passionately on HME-related issues during Energy and Commerce Committee meetings and sessions.
GET
ACTIVE
Use your voice to make a difference in homecare and speak to your local and state representatives. Find tools and resources on how to get involved here:
aahomecare.org/take-action.
