By Jessica Nagro, MPA
Policy & Communications Manager
Eldercare Workforce Alliance
In November, the United States elected Donald Trump to serve as the 45th president. While this is a dynamic time for the transition, President-elect Trump has provided several signals for what his administration might mean for the eldercare workforce and America’s older adults.
Here is what we know so far:
Campaign Promises
Throughout the campaign, President-elect Trump made several statements on issues related to the eldercare workforce. For family caregivers, Trump has proposed to allow working individuals to deduct eldercare expenses from their federal income taxes. The deduction will be capped at the average cost of care for the state of residence. In addition, he wants to establish new Dependent Care Savings Accounts (DCSAs) so families can set aside extra money to offset eldercare expenses, including long-term care costs, for their parents or adult dependents.
More broadly, Trump has promised to “work with Congress to create a patient-centered health care system that promotes choice, quality, and affordability.” He also indicated he plans to block-grant Medicaid but promised to keep Medicare coverage intact.
First 100 Days
Shortly after the election, President-elect Trump released his plan for the first 100 days of his administration. The document outlines several ways he plans to work with Congress to alter the health care and eldercare systems. Trump urges Congress to fully repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare). He proposes to replace it with Health Savings Accounts, the ability to purchase health insurance across state lines, and more flexibility for states to manage Medicaid funds. The President-elect also hopes Congress will take up his Affordable Childcare and Eldercare Act that enacts his caregiving platform detailed above.
Federal Appointments
In late November, President-elect Trump announced his candidates for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Trump nominated Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) to serve as Secretary of HHS. Congressman Price, an orthopedic surgeon, has served US House of Representatives since 2005 and currently serves as the Chairman of the House Budget Committee. In Congress, he is a leading conservative voice on health care and often advocates for more state and local control of health care policy administration. He supports Trump’s proposals to repeal and replace the ACA and block-grant Medicaid but Price has also spoken about making substantial reforms to the Medicare program.
President-elect Trump also nominated Seema Verma as CMS Administrator. Verma is a health care consultant who assisted Governor Mike Pence (now Vice President-elect) in designing Indiana’s Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Her consulting company also assisted with other Medicaid expansion plans brought forward by Republican governors. Both Price and Verma are subject to Senate confirmation.
As our society continues to age, the coming years will be a critical time for eldercare issues. We look forward to working with our coalition members and interested stakeholders to ensure we have a health workforce prepared to care for our older loved ones.