Kamala proposed that the red and blue cards cover home care for the elderly and the disabled

Reporter : Zeng Ziheng / Editor : Li Muen / https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/10/9/n14346894.htm

Image : On 7 October 2024, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke before planting a pomegranate tree at the Vice President's residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

On Tuesday (8 October 2024), U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris proposed for the first time the idea of ​​expanding federal health insurance and extending benefits to the elderly. and home care services for people with disabilities. She also suggested adding hearing and vision benefits to help seniors live independently longer.

Federal Medicare (Medicare, commonly known as the Red and Blue Card) is the government's medical insurance. Anyone who is over 65 years old or meets the disability qualifications can apply, but the applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and reside continuously in the United States for at least five years.

Currently, the Red and Blue Cards do not cover long-term services such as home caregivers, except if the insured person is recovering from an acute illness. Private insurance in the United States also does not cover these services. Families must therefore bear the costs themselves.

Harris said on the talk show "The View" that many people in the United States are called "sandwich people" and face huge financial burdens and care responsibilities. “Not only do they have to take care of their own children, but they also have to take care of their elderly parents, yet it’s almost impossible to do all of these tasks at the same time, especially when they also have to work. We found that many people were forced to not only  lose their income by quitting their jobs, it also causes emotional stress."

Harris mentioned that she served as a caregiver to her mother Shyamala in her final years after she was diagnosed with cancer.

"Helping an elderly parent or someone to prepare a meal and put on their coat is a sign of respect and protection for the dignity and autonomy of the person being cared for," she said. "People's skills have diminished to some extent, but their dignity and pride have not diminished."

Associated Press analysis believes that Harris's health insurance proposal is expected to gain support from the majority of voters, especially among older women and some key swing states. However, despite the plan's potential to provide financial relief to American families, it still needs congressional approval and the president's signature to take effect. If the next Congress is controlled by Republicans, the proposal is unlikely to be approved.

In Michigan, 34% of older women are family caregivers, compared with 30% of older voters overall, according to AARP. In Georgia, 37% of older women are family caregivers, compared with 34% of older voters overall.

In Pennsylvania, 76% of likely voters over the age of 50 said they were more likely to support a candidate who promised to help family caregivers.