Get ready to feel empowered! In this episode, Bliss Pointer returns from the sun-drenched halls of Florida to recap the first Advocacy Day of the year. We’re diving deep into how your voice directly shapes the future of home care and hospice. Whether it’s changing a state bird or fighting for fair Medicare reimbursements, this update proves that when we speak up, legislators actually listen! 🏛️✨

💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

- Florida’s Big Wins: Inside Advocacy Day where home care leaders met with Rep. Pittman to discuss reimbursement rates and... a new state bird? 🦩

- No Stopping Us: How South Carolina successfully turned a snowed-out advocacy day into a virtual triumph (and how you can join the upcoming in-person makeup date!) ❄️💻

- Federal and State Red Alerts: Understanding the impact of the CMS 2026 Home Health Payment Rule and the estimated $220 million reduction hitting agencies nationwide.

- Stay Inspired! A heartfelt reminder that while policy change takes time, your stories are the only thing that prevents providers from being caught off guard.

Mark Your Calendars, New Advocacy Days Announced.

- Find the next H4HC event: https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/

- Tell us your home care story: https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/campaign/h4hc-stories/

Don't let your story go unheard! If you have questions about the 2026 payment systems or want to share your first-time advocacy experience, drop a comment below! 💬 We might even feature your question in the next episode and send you a special prize! 🎁

produced by: slanted.design

Bliss Pointer is back with a high-stakes update on the financial and political landscape of home health and hospice. From federal payment cuts to historic gubernatorial shifts, this episode is a must-listen for anyone fighting to keep care where it belongs: at home.

Federal Update: Why MedPAC is recommending a 7% cut to Medicare home health payments..

New Jersey’s Milestone: A look at the goals of New Jersey’s 57th Governor, Mikie Sherrill, the first Democratic woman to hold the office.

State Budget Battles: Updates on Pennsylvania’s budget, Delaware’s investment strategies, and Missouri’s struggle with flat Medicaid funding despite inflation.

The Power of Your Voice: How the stories that show the true benefits that home care recipients have on their communities can be just as effective as the stories on why they need services. 

Workforce Survival: How California, Texas, New York, and Arizona are tackling the "Amazon effect" by fighting for competitive wages to keep caregivers in the field.

produced by slanted.design

In this episode, Mike connects with expert Damon Terzaghi to tackle the hard truths facing our industry in the wake of massive legislative changes.

With an estimated $900 billion cut from Medicaid over the next decade, the pressure is on. We dive deep into what this means for providers, the workforce, and the vulnerable populations we serve.

🎧 Tune in to hear about:

The Reality of the Cuts: Why states can't just funnel these reductions to hospitals and why Home Care is in the crosshairs.

New Barriers to Care: The "Community Engagement" requirement demanding 80 hours per month of work or volunteering for eligibility—and the administrative nightmare it creates.

The Workforce Crisis: With provider rates likely to remain flat or be cut, how do we retain caregivers in an already fragile market?

The Path Forward: Why advocacy is no longer optional, but a survival skill for 2026 and beyond.

As Damon says, there is no way to cut this much money out of Medicaid without impacting older adults and people with disabilities. Listen now to get prepared.

produced by slanted.design

In this episode, Bliss outlines "boots on the ground" advocacy in 2026. We cover everything from key Advocacy Day dates at state legislatures, to simple ways you can advocate right from your desk. Join us as we discuss how to protect the integrity of home care in the new year, while making sure lawmakers hear the powerful stories of the families and caregivers who rely on it.

In the Episode:

Become an advocate for free at heartsforhomecare.com

produced by slanted.design

This week we welcome home care industry legends Dave Totaro and Bill Dombi for an in-depth look at the evolution of home care and advocacy. Our guests discuss the early days of direct lobbying and how advocacy has transformed into a sophisticated grassroots movement. Dave and Bill share their personal stories, professional insights, and their vision for the future of the industry.

In this episode:

The Changing Face of Advocacy: How advocacy has evolved from a few individuals walking the halls of power to a multi-faceted grassroots movement.

Legislative and Regulatory Challenges: Bill breaks down the biggest upcoming impacts, including Medicare home health payment rate issues, hospice program reforms, and the critical need for 50-state advocacy.

The Power of the Personal Story: Dave emphasizes why a single home visit or a constituent’s personal story can be more influential to a legislator than any amount of data or statistics.

Innovation and Technology: How telehealth, hospital-at-home models, and even AI are serving as tools to improve quality and efficiency, while stressing that they can never replace the human element of care.

Barriers to Access: A look at the persistent challenges of workforce shortages, competitive wages, and the need for better home retrofitting policies to support aging in place.

The Global Movement: Bill shares his experience with international interest in the US home care model, highlighting a worldwide shift toward prioritizing care in the home.

Dave and Bill remind listeners that advocacy is a 24/7, 365-day effort. Whether you’re a provider, a caregiver, or a consumer, your voice matters. H4HC helps us to humanize our messages, keep our asks simple, and we never stop educating our policymakers. Learn more and become an advocate for free at heartsforhomecare.com

produced by: slanted.design

The home care and hospice landscape is shifting faster than ever, are you ready for the legal and legislative tidal wave hitting in 2026? In this must-listen episode, Mike sits down with Angelo Spinola, an employment law titan with 25 years of industry-specific expertise.

From the nuances of live-in caregiver pay to the massive implications of HR1 and Medicaid rule changes, Angelo breaks down the "niche" legal areas that can make or break a home care provider's future.

In this episode:

The HR1 (Big Beautiful Bill) Effect: How administrative burdens and Medicaid eligibility verification are tightening the "squeeze" on providers and potentially limiting patient access.

Legislative Shifts in 2026: Why the potential reinstatement of live-in and companionship exemptions is a game-changer for federal and state labor laws.

Compliance "Health Checks": Angelo’s top-tier advice on staying proactive vs. reactive—avoiding penalties that can cost agencies millions.

The Diversification Playbook: Why leading agencies are branching into VA services, private duty, and alternative care models to survive funding volatility.

Advocacy as a Business Strategy: How to bridge the education gap with lawmakers who still don't understand the vital difference between home health and home care.

Learn more about Angelo Spinola's services at polsinelli.com/angelo-spinola

produced by slanted.design

Links from the Episode

Ho, ho, ho, advocates! We are in the middle of the holiday season and we have an all-new Home Care You Say? Update with host Bliss Pointer, as she delivers a quick look at the state of home care and advocacy across the nation.

As we say goodbye to 2025, Bliss breaks down the latest federal and state-level wins (and challenges) that will shape the industry in 2026. Whether you're a care recipient, a family member, or a caregiver, you won't want to miss our "naughty and nice" lists of important legislation to watch!

In this episode, we cover:

Federal "Stocking Stuffers": A quick look into the CMS final Home Health Rule and what a 1.3% funding reduction actually means for the future of advocacy.

The North Carolina Turnaround: How tireless storytelling led to a massive retroactive reversal of rate reductions—a true holiday win for families, but the fight is not over!

State-by-State Sleigh Ride:

New Jersey & Delaware: Using social media and "home visits" to bridge the gap with lawmakers.

Pennsylvania: Gearing up for the big Advocacy Day.

Missouri: The fight for rate stability.

Florida & South Carolina: Early previews of 2026 budget proposals and upcoming legislative dates and Advocacy Days.

The Power of Your Story: Why legislators are more engaged online than ever, and how your personal experience can literally change the law.

Don't forget! If you have questions for our next Q&A segment, send them in! If your question is featured on the show, you’ll win a special prize. 🎁 Tag us on social media or send your questions to [email protected].

So pull up a chair, grab some cocoa, and let’s get into the spirit of making a difference.

Produced by slanted.design

In this episode, Mike sits down with Mordechai Wolhendler, CEO of Glatthealth Home Care Consulting Group. Drawing from his background as a former home care operator, Mordechai shares insider perspectives on the most pressing challenges facing the industry today—from the skyrocketing costs of staffing to the confusion surrounding industry terminology in legislative halls.

Whether you are a startup agency, a multi-state operator, or an advocate for better care, this conversation sheds light on the "long game" of advocacy, the inevitable rise of AI and robotics in care, and how to navigate a heavily regulated industry. On top of that, we are also gearing up for the gigantic Home Care Show in Miami this February, where industry experts from around the country gather to discuss rising trends, advocacy, incoming legislation, and develop their strategies for the new year.

Learn more about The Home Care Show Miami at powwowevent.com/homecare-miami

GlattHealth Advancing the Industry: Discover how a gap in quality consulting for startups and growth-stage agencies inspired Mordechai to pivot from operator to consultant.

The "Home Care" vs. "Home Health" Confusion: A look at why legislators often misunderstand the difference between skilled and non-skilled care, and why clarifying this terminology is critical for successful advocacy.

Advocacy is a Long Game: Why you can't just show up during budget season. Effective advocacy requires building year-round relationships and educating policymakers on the operational realities of the home.

AI Beyond the Buzzwords: How Artificial Intelligence is being used to reduce office overhead, automate scheduling, and match caregivers to client needs to improve long-term viability.

Get ready to grab your coffee and your earbuds—it's time for the inaugural edition of our new bi-weekly segment, 'Home Care Updates', hosted by Bliss Pointer!

We know that following new policies and tracking legislation can be tough, but staying current is non-negotiable. We track the trending topics and top legislation each week to keep you updated, and this week, we're diving into the new legislation and legislators that are impacting the home health industry. We're making complex legislation understandable (and maybe even a little fun!).

What’s on the policy hit list this week?

The CMS Final Home Health Rule: We break down the implications of this huge announcement.

The VA 2026 Fee Schedule: Get the details on what's ahead for 2026.

Federal & State Policy Pushes: Hear how advocates are gearing up for the next congressional push, about upcoming Advocacy Days that you can join, and all the critical legislative changes brewing in select states.

Your Call to Action: Don't just listen—participate! We're looking for your burning questions and topic suggestions! Send them to [email protected] for a chance to be answered on the show. Plus, you will learn how you can win prizes and be a part of the next update with Bliss.

As always, we would love for you to join H4HC's free advocacy program at heartsforhomecare.com, and support the frontline workers who provide care, and the clients who depend on them.