Home Care, You Say?

Home Care Advocacy and Industry Trends: Insights from the 2026 Miami Home Care Show

Get ready to feel the electric energy from the Miami Home Care Show! In this episode, we’re bringing you the best insights straight from the convention floor. We caught up with the industry’s brightest CEOs, founders, and advocates to discuss the real forces driving home care into 2026. From the heart-centered mission of advocacy to the "easy buttons" for medical equipment, this episode is a masterclass in how we’re moving from simple transactions to life-changing partnerships. 
Live from the Miami Home Care Show Floor
The Heart of Advocacy: Why sharing personal stories is the most powerful tool you have to influence legislators.
Navigating the Maze: How experts are stripping away the "administrative burden" to put the focus back on patient care.
The Power of Women: A look at the incredible women powering the industry and the importance of diverse representation.
From Transactions to Partnerships: Why local involvement and "true partnerships" are the key to fixing the caregiver crisis.
The Future of 2026: Why family caregiving is becoming a major focal point for the coming year.Resource Links
Hearts for Home Care: Join the movement and find your local chapter! ❤️
State Advocacy Days: Mark your calendars and check the EVENT PAGE.
 
produced by slanted.design

Updates with Bliss: Home Care State Budgets, Medicaid Funding, and How to Get Involved 🏛️

Advocacy waits for no one—not even with a cold! 🤒 Bliss Pointer is back at the desk to bring you the latest boots-on-the-ground updates from the world of home care and hospice. From heartwarming wins in South Carolina to high-stakes budget battles in the Northeast, this episode is your ultimate guide to staying informed and making your voice heard! 
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
South Carolina Success: A behind-the-scenes look at an incredible Advocacy Day with a shout-out from the Senate floor! 
The "Dr. Oz" Effect: What the new CMS leadership means for program integrity and Medicaid oversight. 
Budget Watch 2026: Updates on New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Missouri—who’s getting funded and who’s facing "flat" Medicaid rates. 
Leadership Shakeups: The impact of North Carolina’s new Medicaid director and why consistent advocacy is more critical than ever. 
The Ultimate Tool: Why local elections and your primary vote are the secret weapons of the home care movement. 
Resource Links
Hearts for Home Care: Join the movement and find your local chapter! ❤️
State Advocacy Days: Mark your calendars and check the EVENT PAGE.
Voter Resources: Check your registration and view sample ballots online to prepare for the March primaries! ✍️
 
produced by slanted.design
 

Advocacy, Heart, and the Power of Home

Get ready for an insightful sit-down as we welcome Senator Russ Huxtable from the "First State" of Delaware! 💎 In this episode, we’re peeling back the legislative curtain to see how policy meets the pavement in the world of home care. From grocery store advocacy to the deeply personal "power of home," this conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about healthcare's future.
 
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
The Power of Home: A moving personal account from Senator Huxtable on why the dignity of dying is paramount.
The "Neighbor" Approach: Why Delaware legislators are more accessible than you think (yes, even in the produce aisle!).
Advocacy 101: The best avenues to reach your representatives—from emails to coffee shop chats.
Data-Driven Policy: How Senate Bill 122 is revolutionizing healthcare workforce planning through better data collection.
The Workforce-Housing Link: Why solving the healthcare shortage requires looking at affordable housing for caregivers.
The Economic Win: Why home-based care isn't just better for the soul—it’s better for the state budget compared to institutional settings.
Resource Links
Official Website: Hearts for Home Care 🏠
Legislative Tracking: Learn more about DE Senate Bill 122.
Get Involved: Find your local representative and start the conversation!
If this episode touched your heart or opened your eyes to the power of local advocacy, please leave us a review 🌟 Your support helps us bring more vital stories like this to the airwaves.
 
produced by slanted.design

Updates with Bliss: Advocacy Season is Heating Up! First stop is Florida with Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman

Get ready to feel empowered! In this episode, Bliss Pointer returns from the sun-drenched halls of Florida to recap the first Advocacy Day of the year. We’re diving deep into how your voice directly shapes the future of home care and hospice. Whether it’s changing a state bird or fighting for fair Medicare reimbursements, this update proves that when we speak up, legislators actually listen! 🏛️✨
 
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Florida’s Big Wins: Inside Advocacy Day where home care leaders met with Rep. Pittman to discuss reimbursement rates and... a new state bird? 🦩
- No Stopping Us: How South Carolina successfully turned a snowed-out advocacy day into a virtual triumph (and how you can join the upcoming in-person makeup date!) ❄️💻
- Federal and State Red Alerts: Understanding the impact of the CMS 2026 Home Health Payment Rule and the estimated $220 million reduction hitting agencies nationwide.
- Stay Inspired! A heartfelt reminder that while policy change takes time, your stories are the only thing that prevents providers from being caught off guard.
 
Mark Your Calendars, New Advocacy Days Announced.
- Find the next H4HC event: https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/
- Tell us your home care story: https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/campaign/h4hc-stories/
 
Don't let your story go unheard! If you have questions about the 2026 payment systems or want to share your first-time advocacy experience, drop a comment below! 💬 We might even feature your question in the next episode and send you a special prize! 🎁
 
 
produced by: slanted.design

Sue Chapman Moss on Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Patient Care in the Home

Today, we’re sitting down with Sue Chapman Moss, the powerhouse Senior VP of Payer Strategy at Bayada and newly minted President and Executive Director of Hearts for Home Care.  If you’ve ever wondered why 90% of people want to stay home but the system makes it so hard, this episode is your roadmap towards change!   
 
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:- The Power of the Pen: How executive orders during the pandemic unlocked decades of progress in telehealth overnight and how home care can follow the example.- The Funding Gap: Why home care remains underfunded despite record-breaking national healthcare spending.- The Workforce Crisis: How suppressed wages are preventing nurses and caregivers from choosing home-based careers.
- Storytelling as Strategy: Why your personal experience carries more weight with a legislator than a mountain of data.
- Tech vs. Paperwork: How AI and streamlined reporting can get caregivers out from behind laptops and facing the client.- Advocacy in Action: Key dates for 2026 State Advocacy Days—mark your calendars for FL, PA, NC, and DE!.
Resources: 
 
·  Join the H4HC Movement: Hearts for Home Care Official Website ·  Share Your Story: Record a video for legislators here ·  Meet Us in Person: Catch Mike and Sue live at The Home Care Show in Miami, Feb 17-18, 2026! 
 
 
 
 
produced by slanted.design

Updates with Bliss: MedPAC's Medicare Home Health Cuts and State Updates

Bliss Pointer is back with a high-stakes update on the financial and political landscape of home health and hospice. From federal payment cuts to historic gubernatorial shifts, this episode is a must-listen for anyone fighting to keep care where it belongs: at home.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Federal Update: Why MedPAC is recommending a 7% cut to Medicare home health payments..
New Jersey’s Milestone: A look at the goals of New Jersey’s 57th Governor, Mikie Sherrill, the first Democratic woman to hold the office.
State Budget Battles: Updates on Pennsylvania’s budget, Delaware’s investment strategies, and Missouri’s struggle with flat Medicaid funding despite inflation.
The Power of Your Voice: How the stories that show the true benefits that home care recipients have on their communities can be just as effective as the stories on why they need services. 
Workforce Survival: How California, Texas, New York, and Arizona are tackling the "Amazon effect" by fighting for competitive wages to keep caregivers in the field.
Resource Links 
Share Your Story: Record your story at https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/campaign/h4hc-stories/ 
Email Us: advocacy@heartsforhomecare.com.
 
 
 
 
produced by slanted.design

The Seismic Shift in Home Care: Navigating $900 Billion in Cuts

In this episode, Mike connects with expert Damon Terzaghi to tackle the hard truths facing our industry in the wake of massive legislative changes.
With an estimated $900 billion cut from Medicaid over the next decade, the pressure is on. We dive deep into what this means for providers, the workforce, and the vulnerable populations we serve.
🎧 Tune in to hear about:
The Reality of the Cuts: Why states can't just funnel these reductions to hospitals and why Home Care is in the crosshairs.
New Barriers to Care: The "Community Engagement" requirement demanding 80 hours per month of work or volunteering for eligibility—and the administrative nightmare it creates.
The Workforce Crisis: With provider rates likely to remain flat or be cut, how do we retain caregivers in an already fragile market?
The Path Forward: Why advocacy is no longer optional, but a survival skill for 2026 and beyond.
As Damon says, there is no way to cut this much money out of Medicaid without impacting older adults and people with disabilities. Listen now to get prepared.
 
produced by slanted.design

Updates with Bliss: Advocacy Days, Success Stories and Challenges for 2026

In this episode, Bliss outlines "boots on the ground" advocacy in 2026. We cover everything from key Advocacy Day dates at state legislatures, to simple ways you can advocate right from your desk. Join us as we discuss how to protect the integrity of home care in the new year, while making sure lawmakers hear the powerful stories of the families and caregivers who rely on it.
In the Episode:
Advocacy Day Lineup: Mark your calendars for these important dates at state capitals.
Protecting the Integrity of Home Care: Understanding the focus on Medicaid oversight and how we can work with leaders to reduce waste and address "bad actors" without affecting legitimate providers and families.
Advocacy from Your Desk: If you can’t make it to the state capital, you can still be a powerful advocate!
Contacting your legislators using H4HC's online tools.
Sharing your personal story and making a difference.
Become an advocate for free at heartsforhomecare.com
 
produced by slanted.design

Smarter Advocacy: Simple Messages for a Complex System

This week we welcome home care industry legends Dave Totaro and Bill Dombi for an in-depth look at the evolution of home care and advocacy. Our guests discuss the early days of direct lobbying and how advocacy has transformed into a sophisticated grassroots movement. Dave and Bill share their personal stories, professional insights, and their vision for the future of the industry.
In this episode:
The Changing Face of Advocacy: How advocacy has evolved from a few individuals walking the halls of power to a multi-faceted grassroots movement.
Legislative and Regulatory Challenges: Bill breaks down the biggest upcoming impacts, including Medicare home health payment rate issues, hospice program reforms, and the critical need for 50-state advocacy.
The Power of the Personal Story: Dave emphasizes why a single home visit or a constituent’s personal story can be more influential to a legislator than any amount of data or statistics.
Innovation and Technology: How telehealth, hospital-at-home models, and even AI are serving as tools to improve quality and efficiency, while stressing that they can never replace the human element of care.
Barriers to Access: A look at the persistent challenges of workforce shortages, competitive wages, and the need for better home retrofitting policies to support aging in place.
The Global Movement: Bill shares his experience with international interest in the US home care model, highlighting a worldwide shift toward prioritizing care in the home.
Dave and Bill remind listeners that advocacy is a 24/7, 365-day effort. Whether you’re a provider, a caregiver, or a consumer, your voice matters. H4HC helps us to humanize our messages, keep our asks simple, and we never stop educating our policymakers. Learn more and become an advocate for free at heartsforhomecare.com
 
produced by: slanted.design

Compliance, Coverage, and Care: A Critical Industry Deep Dive with Angelo Spinola

The home care and hospice landscape is shifting faster than ever, are you ready for the legal and legislative tidal wave hitting in 2026? In this must-listen episode, Mike sits down with Angelo Spinola, an employment law titan with 25 years of industry-specific expertise.
From the nuances of live-in caregiver pay to the massive implications of HR1 and Medicaid rule changes, Angelo breaks down the "niche" legal areas that can make or break a home care provider's future.
In this episode:
The HR1 (Big Beautiful Bill) Effect: How administrative burdens and Medicaid eligibility verification are tightening the "squeeze" on providers and potentially limiting patient access.
Legislative Shifts in 2026: Why the potential reinstatement of live-in and companionship exemptions is a game-changer for federal and state labor laws.
Compliance "Health Checks": Angelo’s top-tier advice on staying proactive vs. reactive—avoiding penalties that can cost agencies millions.
The Diversification Playbook: Why leading agencies are branching into VA services, private duty, and alternative care models to survive funding volatility.
Advocacy as a Business Strategy: How to bridge the education gap with lawmakers who still don't understand the vital difference between home health and home care.
Learn more about Angelo Spinola's services at polsinelli.com/angelo-spinola
 
 
produced by slanted.design