WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Independent Women, a leading national women’s organization dedicated to advancing policies that enhance opportunity and well-being, applauds the Trump administration’s Department of Labor proposal to reverse harmful home care rules.

The Obama administration imposed a rule on compensation for home care workers, placing unnecessary cost burdens on caregivers, seniors, and their families. With the reversal of these rules, families will now have access to more affordable home care options.

Heather Madden, policy staff director at Independent Women, said:  

“We applaud the Department of Labor’s move to rescind misguided regulations that have long stood in the way of a functional, affordable in-home care market for seniors and other vulnerable Americans.

For over a decade, the 2013 Home Care Rule has restricted access to in-home care, increased costs for families, and reduced flexibility for caregivers. Among other things, the rule arbitrarily limits time spent on essential care services to just 20% of a caregiver’s weekly hours — otherwise, families risk losing the companionship services exemption and becoming subject to overtime pay requirements. The remaining 80% must be spent on social or recreational engagement.

These unnecessary barriers have forced families into difficult choices such as turning to off-the-books care or exhausting themselves trying to provide care on their own.

It’s long past time we support families and empower seniors to age in place. This action is a critical step toward restoring choice, flexibility, and common sense to the home care system.”

See more of Independent Women’s work advocating for affordable home care options below:

Direct media inquiries and booking requests to [email protected]. 

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Independent Women advances policies that actually enhance opportunity and well-being.