Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2025
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by AMAC Action
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July 31, 2025
The Honorable Mary Miller
15th Congressional District of Illinois
1740 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Miller,
On behalf of AMAC Action, the advocacy affiliate of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), with over 2 million members nationwide, I write to express our strong support for the Ensuring Access to Affordable and Quality Home Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act. This crucial legislation reserves the longstanding companionship services and live-in domestic services exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, even when these services are provided through third-party employment.
For the vast majority of older Americans who do not require comprehensive medical care, living at home with a trusted companion is the preferred, most comfortable, and most humane option. Yet under current regulations, caregivers who assist with basic daily tasks, like helping with meals, light housekeeping, and transportation, often do not qualify for the federal exemption that once made such services affordable and widely available. The result has been fewer options for seniors and more families being forced into costly institutions or off-market arrangements.
As conservatives, we believe strong families, not bureaucracies, should be the foundation of elder care. The 2013 Obama administration rule change that restricted these exemptions disrespects that principle by inserting unnecessary red tape into personal caregiving decisions, discouraging lawful employment, and punishing families trying to do the right thing for their aging loved ones.
Affordable, non-medical in-home care is not a luxury, it’s a vital support for millions of families. By restoring the exemptions for companionship and live-in services, this bill ensures that families can access trusted, personal care without being burdened by intrusive federal mandates. It also helps seniors remain in their homes longer, preserving both their dignity and their independence.
This legislation represents a step towards restoring common sense, personal freedom, and respect for the family unit in elder care. Thank you for your leadership on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Mangione Jr.
Senior Vice President
AMAC Action
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