Healthcare (Hospitals · Seniors)

The Hardworking Seniors Act would allow individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part A hospital insurance based on their age to contribute to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Currently, these individuals are generally prohibited from making HSA contributions once they become entitled to any form of Medicare. The bill modifies the Internal Revenue Code to exclude age-based Medicare Part A entitlement from the definition of conditions that disqualify a person from contributing to an HSA. This change would take effect for taxable months beginning after December 31, 2026.

This bill expands Medicaid coverage to include services in assisted living facilities for individuals who currently require hospital or nursing home care, provided they meet state income and resource limits. It also modifies the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to give priority funding to projects that help reduce long-term medical costs for the elderly by offering care in non-institutional settings. Both changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, allowing states time to update their laws and plans to comply with the new requirements.

The ACCESS Act expands Medicaid coverage to include services in assisted living facilities for individuals who currently require nursing home-level care, provided they meet state income and resource limits. This change aims to lower costs by ensuring that the average expense for these residents does not exceed the cost of their care in a hospital or nursing facility. Additionally, the bill allows the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to be used for projects that reduce long-term medical costs for the elderly by offering care in non-institutional settings. These provisions are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, with a grace period for states needing to update their legislation to comply.

This bill allows seniors over 65 who only have Medicare Part A hospital insurance (and no other Medicare coverage) to contribute to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Currently, Medicare beneficiaries cannot contribute to HSAs, but this bill removes that restriction for seniors enrolled solely in Part A. The change amends the tax code to exclude these individuals from the existing HSA contribution ban during periods they have only Part A coverage. The provision takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This bill amends Medicare payment rules for long-term care hospitals to ensure they receive full payments for treating seniors in critical condition. It adds a new "high acuity criterion" requiring discharges to be assigned to a specific Medicare payment category (MS-LTC-DRG) with a relative weight of at least 0.8, effective October 1, 2026. Hospitals meeting this criterion for eligible discharges will avoid reduced payments ("site-neutral payments") that would otherwise apply. The change directly affects long-term care hospitals treating Medicare patients with high-acuity conditions and ensures these facilities receive full reimbursement for critical care services.

HRES 1002 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the Older Americans Act (OAA) nutrition program, which provides meals and social services to seniors aged 60+. It directly affects millions of older adults - particularly those who are homebound, isolated, or facing hunger, malnutrition, or chronic health conditions - by highlighting how the program reduces hospital visits, lowers healthcare costs, and improves quality of life. Key provisions include acknowledging the program’s role in preventing falls and institutionalization, emphasizing volunteer support as its "backbone," and urging Congress to secure sustained federal funding. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally endorses the program’s value and calls for community and legislative support.