National Nurses United (NNU) applauds Vice President Kamala Harris’ plan to expand Medicare benefits to include vision, hearing, and a long-term care-at-home program. The plan, announced by her campaign today, would also expand Medicare drug price negotiations, leading to lower drug prices for seniors.  

“The plan announced by Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz would be life-changing for millions of seniors, people with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers,” said Nancy Hagans, RN and president of National Nurses United, the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in the country. “Nurses see the negative impact of our profit-based health care system every day. Too many seniors suffer because they don’t have vision or audiology care, and millions of families struggle to provide long-term care for their loved ones. This plan would expand health care for millions of patients and would drastically improve the health and well-being of our nation’s seniors and people with disabilities.”  

Vision and hearing are fundamental aspects of health care. Without this care, seniors are at higher risk of preventable falls, depression, and other issues. By expanding the Medicare program to include this coverage, our nation’s seniors will stay healthier for longer. Many seniors and people with disabilities are currently unable to receive the long-term care support that they need at home. By expanding Medicare to include a “Medicare at home” program, seniors and people with disabilities will have the option to stay in their own homes, and their families and caregivers will be supported.  

The plan will be paid for by further expanding Medicare drug price negotiations. As a result, seniors will see lower drug prices and the Medicare program will redirect the money it saves into expanding its benefits.  

“This announcement comes as a reminder of the importance of the election in November,” said Hagans. “For registered nurses, the choice could not be clearer. Today’s announcement is further proof that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are committed to improving health care across our country. National Nurses United has strongly endorsed their campaign and looks forward to working with them to make this plan a reality.” 

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with nearly 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association