WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Independent Women launched the Support Aging in Place: Expand Access to In-Home Care regulatory comment drive, mobilizing Americans to voice their support for a new Department of Labor proposed rule that would help make in-home care more affordable and accessible for America’s seniors.
Independent Women has long championed policy reforms that empower American families, expand freedom, and improve quality of life—especially for women who often shoulder the burden of caregiving. This initiative builds on that legacy by driving public engagement to move this important rule forward.
The desire to age in place is widespread among Americans, with 88% preferring to remain in their homes for as long as possible as they grow older rather than relocating to a senior living facility. Yet, the current regulations in place make that increasingly difficult. The current market for in-home support is mostly limited to costly home healthcare aides or nurses—making regular support services unattainable for many families.
The problems stem from the 2013 Home Care Rule, which has made it more difficult and expensive for seniors to get the care they need at home by removing a key exemption in federal labor law—forcing most in-home caregivers into rigid overtime requirements. Under this rule, families are unable to secure the kind of care their loved ones need and are forced to either put them in a senior living facility, arrange for unofficial care, or attempt to provide the care themselves.
The Department of Labor’s new proposed rule will reverse course—overturning the 2013 restrictions and helping make in-home care more affordable and accessible for America’s aging population. If finalized, this rule would:
- Reinstate the pre-2013 definition of companionship services, allowing many in-home caregivers, including those employed through third-parties, to qualify for an exemption from overtime requirements once again.
- Make in-home care more accessible and affordable in order for more families to find the help they need in the comfort of their own homes.
- Give families and workers more freedom and flexibility.
“Too many families are struggling to find affordable, dignified in-home care options for aging loved ones, in large part because of misguided federal regulations. The Department of Labor’s proposal to rescind the 2013 Home Care Rule is a vital step toward enhancing the accessibility, affordability, and family-centric nature of in-home caregiving,” said Heather Madden, Independent Women’s policy staff director. “Independent Women is proud to launch our Support Aging in Place: Expand Access to In-Home Care comment drive to empower Americans to speak up for better options for in-home care. We encourage concerned citizens to share their stories and tell the Department of Labor that seniors deserve better options so they can get the care they need where they want it the most: in the comfort of their own homes.”
Through this effort, Independent Women is once again shaping the national conversation and demonstrating the power of citizen engagement to influence regulatory policy.
The Support Aging in Place: Expand Access to In-Home Care comment drive is open through September 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, and submitted comments will be sent directly to the Department of Labor, urging the agency to move forward with their proposed rule.
Click here to view and take action on this comment drive.
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