WASHINGTON, D.C. – We had a great year with bi-partisan support of HR 7676, The Home Modifications and Accessibility Act. We knew the chance of getting to a vote was very slim, that this will be a marathon, not a sprint. The bill needs new sponsors to carry the momentum into the new Congress.
What is this all about?
This legislation will use tax incentives, not unlike those that work so well solar installations and the purchase of hybrid and electric cars, to grow the number of safer and accessible homes. This market solution is a public/private investment in aging in place, living with disability, reducing the burden on caregivers, and lowering medical costs.
How did we get here so quickly?
We are grateful to so many for their work. Tom Sheridan and Matt Girardi, our consultants at The Sheridan Group, did an incredible job devising our strategy, arranging meetings, and much more. Tony Gregg, working in the house office of Charlie Crist (D-FL) was instrumental. Dr. Jesse Abraham wrote an economics justification white paper showing that the cost of the tax break would be balanced by medicare cost savings.
This paper was used by the Joint Committee on Taxation to calculate their score on the proposed legislation. Members of our executive committee including Jim Greatorex from VGM Live at Home and Kathy Dodd from Lifewise CHM have been invaluable supporters. RJ Adler from Wheelpad, Heather Brooks and Eve Hill from Customized Aging have been and still are incredible boosters.
Where do we go from here?
The National Aging in Place Council is making this legislation their priority policy effort. I will share the leadership baton with RJ Adler as co-chairs of the NAIPC advocacy committee. Tara Ballman, who heads NAIPC, their board and membership are ready to carry this legislative agenda forward.
YOU Should Be Involved
The next NAIPC policy committee meeting is January 23 at 2 pm ET. PLEASE register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuce6hrTMsHNJzMgtYo6Vfv4RtuLuML8Sm
Your membership in NAIPC will be critical to supporting this effort. There are many more benefits to your membership. Most of all I want to thank my HomesRenewed Coalition co-founder and dear friend, Susan Kimmel, without whose support, encouragement and effort none of this would have gotten anywhere at all. We wish everyone a healthy and Happy New Year.
Louis Tenenbaum (pictured) and Susan Kimmel are co-founders of the HomesRenewed™ Coalition.
