Representatives Kevin Hern of Oklahoma’s 1st District and Terri Sewell of Alabama’s 7th District have introduced the Home Health Stabilization Act of 2025. The proposed legislation aims to create a more sustainable payment system for Medicare Home Health Agencies (HHAs) and ensure that patients continue to have access to rehabilitative care outside of hospital settings.
In recent years, HHAs have faced significant challenges, including the closure of over 1,000 agencies since 2020. Nearly one-third of patients referred to home health care from hospitals are unable to receive services. The new bill seeks to pause ongoing funding reductions, providing time for Congress and industry leaders to develop a long-term solution.
“Home health is a lifesaver for millions of seniors and their loved ones, especially in rural states like Oklahoma, where hospitals and nursing facilities may be hours away,” said Rep. Hern. “Slashing home health payments not only undermines access to this critical benefit, but it also drives up overall Medicare costs by forcing patients into more expensive care settings. This bill ensures seniors can get the care they need at home, while protecting taxpayers from wasteful spending.”
“Home health services are a lifeline for so many Alabama seniors and people with disabilities, allowing patients to receive the treatment they need in the comfort of their own homes,” said Rep. Sewell. “The impending cuts to the Medicare home health program will leave lasting negative impacts on patients and their families. It is imperative to prevent such cuts from taking effect, which is why I am proud to sponsor the Home Health Stabilization Act of 2025.”
The bill has received support from several industry leaders. Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, stated: “Home health agencies deliver critical services that help older adults in healthcare recovery or ongoing aging in place. The deep cuts in Medicare fee-for-service payment currently proposed threaten beneficiaries’ access to care and all providers’ viability–and may have a disproportionate impact on our nonprofit and mission-driven provider members by eroding their ability to serve as safety net partners, to accept complex referrals, and to maintain essential community services. We appreciate that Representatives Hern and Sewell recognize both providers’ need for relief from these looming reductions and the importance of older adults’ and families’ ability to continue to access care. This legislation relieves payment pressure, short-term, and ensures the time needed to work toward a sustainable solution. We wholeheartedly support it and appreciate the leadership of Representative Hern and Representative Sewell on this critical issue.”
Dr. Steve Landers, CEO of National Alliance for Care at Home, added: “With CMS proposing over $1.135 billion in home health payment cuts for 2026, essential care for millions of Americans is on the line. While CMS must reverse course and correct its calculations, given what’s at stake for Medicare beneficiaries and the overall function of the Medicare program, Congress cannot stand still. The Alliance celebrates the exceptional leadership of Representatives Kevin Hern (R-OK) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) who today introduced the Home Health Stabilization Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would halt home health cuts in 2026 and 2027 and provide time for CMS and Congress to work with stakeholders to correct methodological errors, combat fraud, and strengthen access to home health at this critical moment for our health systems.”
Rep. Kevin Hern has served as U.S. Representative for Oklahoma’s 1st District since 2018 (https://hern.house.gov/biography). He was born in Belton, Missouri in 1961 before moving to Tulsa (https://oklahoman.com/article/5613132/kevin-hern-wins-gop-nomination-in-1st-congressional-district-runoff). Hern graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1986 and later earned another degree from University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
