Is Medicare ready for an aging america? Home-based care offers hope

Is Medicare ready for an aging america? Home-based care offers hope 
RealClear Health; by Jonathan Fleece, JD (President and CEO of Empath Health) and Dr. Steve Landers (CEO of the National Alliance for Care at Home); 3/12/25
Too often, families face an impossible situation: a loved one is ready to leave the hospital, but no home health provider is available. Or they’re told hospice is the best option, but administrative red tape delays access to comfort and support. These failures put patients at risk. ... This experience underscores why policymakers must protect and expand access to home-based care—before more patients fall through the cracks. ... According to one analysis, in a recent three year period, hospital stays for patients waiting to be discharged to post-acute care providers increased by 24 percent, deteriorating health outcomes and quality of life. Discharge delays – caused by hospital capacity issues and workforce shortages – not only cause harm to patients; they also add unnecessary strain and costs on our healthcare system.