Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2025
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by AMAC Action
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AMAC Action is celebrating another major advocacy victory as more than 9,500 AMAC members submitted public comments to the Department of Labor (DOL) in support of the Trump administration’s proposed reversal of the burdensome 2013 Obama-era Home Care Final Rule. The proposed regulatory rollback marks a vital step toward restoring caregiving flexibility, reducing red tape for American families, and providing more support for seniors.
The Obama-era rule significantly narrowed the long-standing Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exemptions for “companionship services” and live-in domestic care, making it more difficult for families to afford or legally provide in-home care for aging loved ones. It also prohibited third-party employers from claiming these exemptions, imposed complex recordkeeping requirements on private households, and introduced costly wage and overtime mandates that disrupted trusted caregiving relationships.
AMAC Action launched a campaign urging members to make their voices heard on a Department of Labor website. The comment period recently closed, and the total response was overwhelming: 9,530 unique comments were submitted in support of the proposed return to the more flexible 1975 regulations.
“This is what people-powered advocacy looks like,” said AMAC Action Senior Vice President Andy Mangione. “AMAC members spoke out with one voice – calling for a system that respects families, empowers caregivers, and allows seniors to age in the comfort of their homes. We’re proud to have led this charge.”
The original FLSA exemptions were designed to encourage family-centered caregiving, recognizing that most seniors need basic, non-medical support, such as help with meals, light housekeeping, or transportation – not expensive institutional care. The 2013 changes drove up costs, discouraged legal employment, and even led some families to seek “off-the-books” arrangements that exposed both parties to legal and financial risks.
“The 2013 rule ultimately punished the very people it was supposed to help – aging Americans and their families,” said AMAC CEO Rebecca Weber. “Restoring these exemptions would help ensure that families can access care they trust without being burdened by federal mandates. It would be a win for dignity, independence, and common sense.”
As part of the Trump administration’s review, DOL noted that the 2013 revisions “might discourage essential companionship services by making these services more expensive” and “might not reflect the best interpretation” of the law’s original intent.
In its official comment to DOL, AMAC Action emphasized that families should have flexibility in their elder care options and should not be burdened by bureaucratic complexity: “As conservatives, we believe elder care should be a family-driven decision, not one dictated by layers of federal bureaucracy. Families should not be punished for trying to take care of aging loved ones in a humane and cost-effective way.”
The proposed reversal would restore the previous interpretation of the companionship exemption, remove undue regulatory burdens on live-in caregivers, and make it easier for families to comply with tax and labor laws while still obtaining affordable care. It would also support the legal employment of home caregivers, reducing the risk of underground caregiving arrangements that are prone to exploitation or neglect.
This effort builds on AMAC Action’s broader mission to protect seniors’ quality of life through targeted, conservative reforms. The successful mobilization of nearly 10,000 members in this campaign demonstrates the impact of grassroots activism and the value of practical policy solutions grounded in freedom and personal responsibility.
“Supporting America’s caregivers and honoring the needs of our seniors is not a partisan issue – it’s a moral one,” Mangione added. “This victory is a clear sign that our members are shaping the conversation and driving results where it matters most.”
AMAC Action will continue to monitor the rulemaking process and advocate for this rule’s full adoption in the months ahead.
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