Key House Subcommittee Examines Smith-Blumenauer Bill to Expand Medicare Program PACE

Statement

Rep. Chris Smith Friday praised the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health for including his legislation--the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Innovation Act of 2015 (H.R. 3243)--in a hearing to examine policy options that will improve the Medicaid program for beneficiaries.

"I'd like to thank Chairman Pitts, the Subcommittee members and staff for their work on this bill and their leadership and commitment to the PACE program," 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 allow more seniors and individuals with disabilities to benefit from the PACE model."

"The PACE model of care is centered around a simple philosophy: seniors and individuals with serious health problems should have the opportunity to maintain their independence and remain in their homes and communities when possible," said Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR-03). "Oregon is a pioneer in this model of care, and I'm pleased to build on its success to make comprehensive, coordinated, and high-quality care available to even more seniors and individuals with disabilities across the nation."

Currently, the PACE model is limited to those aged 55 and older who meet State-specified criteria for needing a nursing home level of care. Smith's legislation will provide PACE with additional flexibility to use their successful model to meet the needs of new populations-- including younger individuals, seniors who do not yet meet the nursing home standard and persons with chronic conditions and disabilities.

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 expensive decision for some individuals and their families who would prefer to remain in the homes and communities they have worked much of their lives to build," said Smith.

First authorized in the Balanced Budget Act in 1997, PACE has grown to serve over 30,000 participants involved in 114 programs in 32 states--including four in New Jersey, with a fifth planned on the former Fort Monmouth site.

Smith, who will speak at the groundbreaking of this new site in October, continued: "The PACE program has a great track record in New Jersey. I am pleased that while we are working to expand the program on the national level, concurrently we are going to see new options for seniors in Monmouth County."

Smith's bill is supported by a number of interest groups, including the National PACE Association (NPA).

"Studies show that people receiving care from PACE organizations live longer, in better health, with fewer hospitalizations and more time living in their homes than those receiving care through other programs," said Tim Clontz, Chairman of the NPA Public Policy Committee, who testified on behalf of NPA at today's hearing on Capitol Hill.

"We thank the bill sponsors, Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), for their tireless support of PACE, and applaud the committee for its consideration," he said.

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