Democrats’ Slimmer Home Health Care Plan Hinges on State Uptake

Democrats’ proposed home health care program has shrank to $150 billion, sparking concern it may not be enough to meet its supporters’ lofty goals.

The plan to expand Medicaid’s home and community-base care services, which help people with disabilities and the elderly remain in their homes and avoid long-term care facilities, once stood at $400 billion. Backers as recently as last week were hoping for $250 billion over the next 10 years.

The trimmed-down proposed investment means the federal government will be able to offer less money to states to entice officials to embark on long-term plans to boost pay ...