The PACE Access Improvement Act: Expanding Access to Care
For older adults with complex health and long-term care needs, access to comprehensive care can make a meaningful difference in their ability to remain healthy, independent, and living in their communities.
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is designed around this approach, bringing together medical care, long-term services and supports, and other services for eligible older adults.
But access to PACE remains limited for many people who could benefit from the program.
A Step Toward Expanding PACE Access
On September 24, 2026, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) and John Moolenaar (R-MI-2) introduced the bipartisan PACE Access Improvement Act. The proposed legislation aims to reduce barriers to PACE enrollment and expansion.
Among other provisions, the legislation would:
- Allow eligible individuals to enroll in PACE at any time during the month
- Streamline certain PACE application and approval processes
- Make it easier for PACE organizations to expand into additional communities
- Improve awareness of PACE among prospective participants
According to the National PACE Association, approximately 96% of Americans who could benefit from PACE currently do not have access to the program.
The legislation is intended to help close that gap by making PACE more accessible to eligible older adults and easier for organizations to expand.
What Greater PACE Access Could Mean
Expanding PACE access is about more than increasing enrollment. It is also about ensuring participants can access the comprehensive services they need within their communities.
For many older adults, traveling to multiple appointments can be challenging. Mobility limitations, transportation needs, cognitive impairment, and caregiver schedules can all create barriers to traditional office-based care.
Community-based services can help address some of those challenges by bringing care closer to where participants already live and receive services.
Dental Care Is Part of Whole-Person Care
Oral health is an important part of overall health, particularly for older adults with complex care needs. Dental problems can affect comfort, nutrition, communication, and quality of life.
Yet getting to a traditional dental office can be difficult for some PACE participants.
At Enable Dental, we see accessible dental care as an important part of the broader PACE model. Our portable dental teams bring equipment and services directly to PACE and other community-based settings, helping participants receive care without the need to travel to a traditional dental office.
Looking Ahead
The PACE Access Improvement Act represents a proposed step toward making comprehensive, community-based care available to more older adults.
As PACE organizations continue looking for ways to reduce barriers to care, accessible dental services can play an important role in supporting whole-person care.
Enable Dental is proud to support PACE organizations by bringing dental care closer to the people they serve.
Learn more about Enable Dental’s PACE dental services.
Learn More
This article is for informational purposes only and reflects the PACE Access Improvement Act as introduced on September 24, 2026. The legislation is subject to change and has not been enacted into law.
