HCAOA The Voice Summer 2019

Bipartisan Home Modification Legislation for Seniors IN MARCH OF 2019, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) introduced the Senior and Disability Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act (S.702) with Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, and a group of their colleagues. The legislation would make it easier for older Americans and individuals with disabilities to access federal home modification programs and remain in their homes. By helping these populations navigate and utilize these federal programs to modify their homes, the legislation achieves the dual goals of helping more Americans live independently and creatively expanding the supply of accessible housing. A House companion bill (H.R.1583) was introduced by Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY). In order to remain in their homes, America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities often have to pursue home modifications to ensure accessibil- ity. But the price of even relatively simple home modifications, such as the cost of putting grab bars in the shower, can drain limited budgets—and more significant changes, like widening doors to allow for wheelchair access, may be completely unfeasible without assistance. However, not making those modifications also runs the risk of being costlier in the long run. For example, a serious fall, which is the leading cause of injury for older adults, can result in large costs, both for the senior and for Medicare and Medicaid. To help, the Senior and Disability Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act would: • Establish a cross-cutting initiative, to be carried out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Assistant Secretary for Aging, to coordinate federal efforts and programs that provide home modification resources and assistance for older Americans and individuals with disabilities. By coordinating existing programs and reporting annually on key data points, as the legislation would require, this initiative would be able to provide a better understanding of how federal programs are helping seniors and individuals with disabilities live independently and safely, and would help identify opportunities to improve the programs. • Require the Assistant Secretary to publish an educational, consumer- friendly brochure to provide easily accessible information that could help Americans better understand and take advantage of federal programs. 18 HCAOA The Voice PUBLIC POLICY