These reductions will disproportionately affect rural veterans and the agencies that serve them. New Mexico’s geography already makes in-home care challenging, and VA does not reimburse providers for travel time or mileage. A cut of this magnitude threatens the financial viability of serving veterans across long distances.
According to VetPop2023 and the VA Office of Rural Health, rural New Mexico veterans over age 65 are nearly 50% more likely than the national average to need help with daily activities. Approximately 68,000 veterans over age 65 in New Mexico rely on VA health care, many of whom depend on home care to remain safely at home.
The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) represents more than 4,000 home care agencies nationwide, including many serving veterans through the VA Community Care Network in New Mexico. Despite requests to reconsider, the VA has not changed the fee schedule.
If implemented, these cuts will force agencies to reduce services or withdraw from the VA network, leaving veterans and their families, especially in rural areas, with fewer options for care.
Take action today to urge Congress to press the VA to rescind these harmful rate cuts and protect access to home care for New Mexico veterans.