Press Release
Smith Introduces 2015 PACE Innovation ActBill to allow more seniors & disabled individuals to use successful PACE ProgramU.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), with a group of bipartisan co-sponsors, introduced legislation this week to provide the Medicare Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) with additional flexibility to use their successful model to meet the needs of new populations. The PACE Innovation Act of 2015, H.R. 3243, would expand the PACE program—an effective, integrated and community-based program that supports independence and works to raise quality of life—to serve more seniors and younger individuals with disabilities. “The PACE program continues to be a comprehensive, provider-based health plan with a proven track record of high quality care for seniors while enabling them to live independently at home,” said Smith, who helped bring the first PACE—St. Francis Medical Center's Living Independently for the Elderly (LIFE) in Trenton—to New Jersey in 2009. “PACE significantly boosts the quality of life for the seniors it currently serves and my legislation would broaden eligibility so more individuals can get the help they need—at a time it could be even more beneficial.” Current PACE requirements restrict access to individuals who are 55 or older and require a nursing home level of care. Smith’s bill will allow the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to test the PACE model with groups who could benefit from the all-inclusive care of the program such as people with disabilities or chronic conditions, individuals at-risk for needing nursing home care and others under 55 years of age. “The PACE program has enjoyed great success both in Oregon and nationally,” said Rep. Blumenauer. “This innovative model keeps people with serious health problems in their homes and communities while providing the necessary services they need to be independent. This is a commonsense policy that will help individuals maintain their dignity and autonomy, while better supporting families during challenging times.” The bill also enjoys strong support by Rep. Kevin Brady, chairman of Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Health. “The PACE program provides critical care and services to fragile seniors and other vulnerable beneficiaries from the comfort of their homes and normal surroundings while keeping them out of expensive nursing homes,” Chairman Brady said. “That’s why I support Congressman Smith’s efforts to make the program more innovative and adept to serve our nation’s elderly in line with the principles we believe should be embodied throughout Medicare. I encourage my colleagues to join us in support of the PACE Innovation Act of 2015.” First authorized in the Balanced Budget Act in 1997, PACE has grown to serve over 30,000 individuals involved in 114 programs in 32 states—including four in New Jersey, with a fifth planned on the former Fort Monmouth site. The PACE program delivers the entire range of medical and long-term services including: medical care and prescription drug services; physical or occupational therapy; day or respite care; and medical specialties, such as dentistry, optometry, and podiatry. “Entering into a nursing home can be a difficult—and frankly, expensive—decision for individuals and their families,” Smith continued. “Allowing PACE programs to assist disabled persons under 55 would not only save money, but the early access to preventative medicine will also help improve their quality of life over the long term.” Smith’s bill is supported by a number of interest groups, including the National PACE Association (NPA), the Alzheimer’s Association, Easter Seals, Volunteers for Americas, American Association for People with Disabilities, and the Lutheran Services in America Disability Network. “The National PACE Association applauds Congressman Smith, Congressman Blumenauer, and all our original cosponsors for their outstanding leadership on PACE issues. This important bill would modify and expand the successful PACE model to serve other vulnerable populations, such as younger individuals with physical disabilities, seniors with debilitating chronic illness, and other high-risk, high-cost beneficiaries. It is a common sense, bipartisan, cost-effective measure that will promote and improve access to a high-quality, proven care model,” said Shawn Bloom, President and CEO of NPA. “We thank our supporters for their efforts and look forward to moving the bill through the legislative process and getting it signed into law.” Smith and Blumenauer are joined by a bipartisan group of Members of Congress who are working for enactment of this bill: Congressman Charles Boustany (LA-03): “The PACE program has a tremendous record of success allowing seniors to remain in their homes, even when requiring nursing home-level care. But some individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions may fall through the cracks in PACE eligibility. Our PACE Innovation Act extends this successful program to provide PACE services to those who could benefit but are otherwise excluded.” Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-09): “I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the PACE Innovation Act, which provides much-needed flexibility for PACE to evolve to meet the needs of new vulnerable populations in addition to its current services for seniors. I want to thank my friends Representatives Chris Smith and Earl Blumenauer for their continued advocacy to strengthen the PACE program.” Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06): “In Pennsylvania, our state-level PACE program – known as LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) – has enabled elderly Pennsylvanians to receive quality comprehensive care without having to leave the comfort of their homes or communities. The PACE Innovation Act is a sensible step towards bringing this successful and innovative model to other populations of Americans with chronic or long-term care needs. I thank Representatives Smith and Blumenauer for introducing this bill and look forward to supporting it.” ### |