Advocacy | Home Health

Protect New Jersey’s access to home care.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2026 Medicare home health proposed rule would slash Medicare home health funding by 9% or $1.1 billion next year.

CMS’ proposed 2026 payment cuts would put essential care for older adults and people with disabilities in New Jersey and nationwide at risk.

New Jersey has one of the fastest-growing aging populations in the country, with over 75,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the state receiving home care each year (90% of whom live with 3 or more chronic conditions).

When home health agencies are stretched thin and more patients are unable to access care in their homes, more will end up in emergency rooms and hospitals/institutions.

This costly crisis will affect every current and future Medicare beneficiary.

We need Congress to support the Home Health Stabilization Act of 2025 (H.R.5142) to pause CMS’ harmful proposed payment cuts to home health under Medicare. This bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Hern (R-OK) and Rep. Sewell (D-AL) on September 5, 2025, will ensure patients have access to rehabilitative care administered from the comfort and dignity of home.

A national poll by Fabrizio Ward commissioned by the National Alliance for Care at Home finds that:

  • 71% of voters believe home care is the most affordable care option.
  • 73% of voters say that cuts harm legitimate patients and providers.
  • 91% of voters believe home health should be available to patients requiring extra support.

Read the Home Care & Hospice Association of NJ's comment letter submitted with regard to the proposed FY 2026 budget cuts: