Medicaid spent approximately *** billion U.S. dollars on long-term care services in 2023, which was an increase on the previous year. **********, ********, and ********* were the states with the highest long-term care expenditures. States support home- and community-based care Combined spending on nursing care facilities, home health care, and other health care made up roughly one-third of Medicaid’s total costs in 2019. Other health care costs include home- and community-based waiver programs that allow people to receive long-term care at home or in their community. Nearly all states offer the waivers, which can substantially reduce expenditures for Medicaid enrollees who would otherwise have to enter a long-term institutional service, such as a nursing home. In recent decades, the distribution of Medicaid’s long-term care services expenditures has shifted toward home- and community-based care. The costs of in-home care are rising Long-term care expenditures vary depending on the setting, location, and level of care required. In 2020, the annual median cost of long-term care in the United States ranged from ****** U.S. dollars for adult day health care services to ******* U.S. dollars for a private room in a nursing home. In general, the costs of nursing home facilities were considerably higher than those for home care and community living options. However, in-home care reported the highest year-on-year cost increases, and growing demand for the services has led to a rise in spending on home health care over recent years.
There has been a noticeable shift in the distribution of expenditures among Medicaid long-term care services over the past three decades. In 1990, home- and community-based care accounted for 13 percent of the program’s long-term care costs, but this has risen to a majority share of approximately 68 percent by 2023. Institutional care rates continue to fall Medicaid spent approximately 32 billion U.S. dollars on long-term care services in 1990, and close to 90 percent of that went towards institutional care, such as nursing homes and other residential facilities. The decrease over recent years in the proportion of spending devoted to institutional care can be partly attributed to a push towards home- and community-based care. This expansion of services is growing in popularity because individuals can receive treatment in familiar surroundings and benefit from increased levels of comfort. State variations in long-term care costs Medicaid expenditures for long-term care services vary significantly from state to state, which is primarily due to each state being able to administer its Medicaid program differently. On average, Medicaid spent 19 percent on long-term care in 2022.
On an annual basis (based on individual Long-Term Care (LTC) facility fiscal year end), California licensed LTC facilities report detailed financial data on facility information, ownership information, patient days & discharges, Balance Sheet, Equity Statement, Cash Flows, Income Statement, Revenue by type and payer, Expense Detail, and Labor Detail. Based on the selected data set, the pivot tables display summarized data on a Profile page and also provides charts on various data items such as Patient Days, Revenue & Expense, and Revenue.
In the United States, nearly half of surveyed adults said they encountered unexpected costs for things they thought would be included but were added on as extra charges by a long-term care facility. This was among those who, in the past two years, were a resident, or a loved one was a resident of a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other LTC facility.
The Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) performance data is an annual evaluation (semi-annual prior to 2022) of New York state-certified MLTC plans. Rates are calculated for each performance measure by plan and describe their population, quality of care, and enrollees’ satisfaction. These data also present the statewide demographic profile of MLTC enrollees and statewide rates of emergency room, hospital, and nursing home utilization. Refer to the Measures document to learn more about specific MLTC measures. In the future, as more evaluations are performed, measures can be trended over time. Refer to the Overview document for information on the data sources, time frames, and limitations of this dataset.
In the United States, of the adults who had experience with a long-term care (LTC) facility (themselves or a loved one) in the past two years, **** were dissatisfied with the cost of the facilities. In comparison, over a ***** of surveyed adults were dissatisfied with the cost of care from paid nurses or aides. On the other hand, satisfaction with the quality of LTC services was higher for both types of care.
In 2022, approximately 13.4 billion euros was spent on long-term healthcare in Belgium, with over half of it being spent on inpatient long-term care. A further 5.15 billion euros was spent on home-based long-term care. This statistic displays the total healthcare expenditure on various modes of long-term care in Belgium in 2021 (in million euros).
Long-Term Care (LTC) Market Size 2024-2028
The long-term care (LTC) market size is forecast to increase by USD 394.8 billion, at a CAGR of 3.21% between 2023 and 2028.
The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand from an aging population. With the global population aging at an unprecedented rate, the need for long-term care services is becoming increasingly essential. This trend is further amplified by the expansion and growth of several healthcare domains, including geriatrics and home health care. However, the LTC market faces a substantial challenge: the lack of skilled nursing staff. This shortage poses a significant obstacle to the healthcare industry's ability to meet the growing demand for care. As the population ages, the need for innovative solutions to address the workforce shortage becomes increasingly urgent.
Companies seeking to capitalize on market opportunities and navigate challenges effectively must focus on attracting and retaining skilled nursing staff through competitive compensation and training programs. Additionally, exploring partnerships with educational institutions and government agencies could help address the workforce shortage and ensure the long-term sustainability of the LTC market.
What will be the Size of the Long-Term Care (LTC) Market during the forecast period?
Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2018-2022 and forecasts 2024-2028 - in the full report.
Request Free Sample
The market continues to evolve, with dynamic market activities unfolding across various sectors. Occupational therapy and physical therapy interventions are increasingly integrated into care plans to enhance resident well-being and improve functional abilities. Fall prevention strategies, such as mobility assistance devices and staff training programs, remain a priority to minimize risks and ensure safety. Data analytics dashboards and medication management systems facilitate efficient care delivery and regulatory compliance. Financial management systems streamline financial operations and enable effective resource allocation. Discharge planning processes and continuence management products ensure seamless transitions between care settings. Advanced care planning and end-of-life care are gaining importance in LTC, with electronic health records and telehealth platforms enabling remote consultations and care coordination.
Rehabilitation therapies, such as speech therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, are essential components of comprehensive care plans. Risk management strategies, including infection control measures and staff scheduling optimization, are critical to maintaining quality care and minimizing potential liabilities. Pressure ulcer prevention and pain management techniques are integral to promoting resident comfort and overall well-being. The LTC landscape is characterized by ongoing innovation and the integration of technology to enhance care delivery and improve operational efficiency. Care management software, supply chain optimization, and facility operations management solutions are transforming the industry, enabling providers to deliver high-quality care while managing costs and ensuring regulatory compliance.
How is this Long-Term Care (LTC) Industry segmented?
The long-term care (LTC) industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.
Type
Government
Public and private players
Out of the pocket
Private insurance
Application
Nursing care and assisted living facilities
Home healthcare
Hospice
End-User
Elderly (65+)
Younger Adults with Disabilities
Chronic Illness Patients
Dementia/Alzheimer's Patients
Geography
North America
US
Canada
Europe
France
Germany
Middle East and Africa
UAE
APAC
China
India
Japan
South America
Brazil
Rest of World (ROW)
By Type Insights
The government segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.
The market dynamics are shaped by various entities that aim to enhance the quality of care and improve patient outcomes. Family caregiver support is crucial for LTC patients, and governments are recognizing the importance of this role. Wound care protocols and patient monitoring devices facilitate timely intervention and prevent complications. Pain management techniques ensure patient comfort and improve the overall care experience. Regulatory compliance and emergency response systems ensure safety and adherence to standards. Long-term care insurance is a financial safety net for many, while nutritional support plans and speech, occupational, and physical therapies contribute t
https://www.marketreportanalytics.com/privacy-policyhttps://www.marketreportanalytics.com/privacy-policy
The global nursing care market is experiencing robust growth, driven by an aging global population and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases requiring long-term care. The market's Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.40% from 2019 to 2024 suggests a significant expansion, and this upward trajectory is expected to continue throughout the forecast period (2025-2033). Key drivers include rising healthcare expenditure, advancements in medical technology enabling at-home care, and a growing preference for community-based care settings over institutionalized care. The market is segmented by service type (home health care, nursing facilities, orphanages/group homes, retirement communities) and end-user (male and female nursing care), reflecting diverse care needs and service delivery models. While the exact market size for 2025 is not provided, given the 4.40% CAGR and assuming a reasonable base year size (e.g., $500 billion in 2024), we can project a 2025 market size of approximately $522 billion. Growth will likely be geographically diverse, with North America and Europe currently holding substantial market shares, but Asia Pacific is poised for considerable expansion due to its rapidly aging population and rising disposable incomes. However, market growth may face restraints such as labor shortages in the healthcare sector, escalating healthcare costs, and variations in healthcare policies across different regions. The competitive landscape is marked by a mix of large multinational corporations and smaller specialized providers. Companies like Bayshore HealthCare, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions, and Genesis Healthcare are major players, competing based on service quality, geographic reach, and specialized service offerings. The market is also witnessing increasing consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, as larger players seek to expand their market share and service portfolio. Future growth hinges on addressing challenges like workforce recruitment and retention, ensuring affordability and accessibility of care, and leveraging technological advancements for efficient and personalized care delivery. Further segmentation within the market, focusing on specific chronic conditions or age groups, will likely emerge as service providers strive to meet the evolving needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. This targeted approach will likely lead to innovations in care delivery and improved patient outcomes. Recent developments include: October 2022: Symcor, a renowned Canadian organization that enables safe data exchanges, has reached an agreement with CarePartners, an Ontario-based service provider offering nursing care and rehabilitation, to further improve the caregiving experience for CarePartners' patients., October 2022: Allina Health and Flare Capital Partners announced the launch of Inbound Health, a new company that enables health systems and health plans to offer hospital-at-home and skilled nursing-at-home programs.. Key drivers for this market are: Rising Incidences of Chronic Diseases Due to Lifestyle Changes, Growth in Healthcare Expenditures; Increasing Geriatric Population. Potential restraints include: Rising Incidences of Chronic Diseases Due to Lifestyle Changes, Growth in Healthcare Expenditures; Increasing Geriatric Population. Notable trends are: Home Health Care Providers Segment is Expected to Hold a Significant Share Over the Forecast Period.
Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License information was derived automatically
United States Life Insurers: Expenditures: Contract Payments: Health Insurance: Long term care data was reported at 9.584 USD bn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.167 USD bn for 2022. United States Life Insurers: Expenditures: Contract Payments: Health Insurance: Long term care data is updated yearly, averaging 8.040 USD bn from Dec 2019 (Median) to 2023, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.584 USD bn in 2023 and a record low of 6.167 USD bn in 2022. United States Life Insurers: Expenditures: Contract Payments: Health Insurance: Long term care data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RG006: Life Insurance: Contract Payments.
In 2022, the out-of-pocket health care payments for long-term care in Canada made up *** percent of total health care spending. This statistic depicts long-term care out-of-pocket payments as a share of total health care expenditure in Canada from 2010 to 2022.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Data Dashboard is an initiative of the Home and Community Based Services Spending Plan. The initiative's primary goal is to create a public-facing LTSS data dashboard to track demographic, utilization, quality, and cost data related to LTSS services. This dashboard will link statewide long-term care and home and community-based services (HCBS) data with the goal of increased transparency to make it possible for regulators, policymakers, and the public to be informed while the state continues to expand, enhance, and improve the quality of LTSS in all home, community, and congregate settings.
The first iteration of the LTSS Dashboard was released in December 2022 as an Open Data Portal file with 40 measures pertaining to LTSS beneficiaries, which includes ten different demographics, plan-related dimensions, and dual stratification. The December 2023 Data Release includes 16 new measures on the Medi-Cal LTSS Dashboard and Open Data Portal (Select “View Underlying Data”); and additional measures and dimensions, including dual stratification, will be added to the Open Data Portal in 2024.
Note: The LTSS Dashboard measures are based on certified eligible beneficiaries who were enrolled in Medi-Cal for one or more months during the reporting interval. Most of the DHCS LTSS dashboard measures report the annual number of certified eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries who have used LTSS services within a year. Other departments may report on these programs differently. For example, the Department of Social Services (CDSS) reports monthly IHSS recipient/consumer counts. The California Department of Aging (CDA) reports monthly CBAS Medi-Cal participants. DHCS’ annual utilization / enrollment counts of IHSS and CBAS beneficiaries are larger than CDSS/CDA's monthly counts because of data source differences and new enrollment or program attrition over time. Monthly snap-shot measures (average monthly utilization) for IHSS and CBAS have been added to the LTSS Dashboard to align with CDSS and CDA monthly reporting.
Refer to the LTSS-Dashboard (ca.gov) program page for: 1) a Fact Sheet with highlights from the initial data release including changes over time in use of Home and Community-Based Services as well as select demographic information; 2) the Measure Specifications document – that describes business rules and inclusion/exclusion criteria related to age groups, plan types, aid code, geographic, or other important program/waiver-specific eligibility criteria; and 3) User guide – that shows how to navigate the Open Data Portal data file with specific examples.
In the United States, over half of surveyed adults had cut back on spending on food, clothing, or other basic household items as a consequence of long-term care services used in the past two years. This was among adults who themselves were a resident, received care from paid nurses or aides, or a loved one was a resident, received care from paid nurses or aides and respondent contributed to the cost of care; or respondent personally provided care. Four percent even said this led to them declaring personal bankruptcy. In 2023, the cost of long-term care facilities ranged from ** thousand to *** thousand U.S. dollars.
https://www.datainsightsmarket.com/privacy-policyhttps://www.datainsightsmarket.com/privacy-policy
The size of the Software for Assisted Living Facilities Market was valued at USD XX Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD XXX Million by 2032, with an expected CAGR of 6.87% during the forecast period. Assisted living facilities are services provided for individuals who cannot perform their daily activities on their own but can still have a certain level of independence. Due to the fact that most ALFs focus on better quality care and seek high volume operations, many assisted living facilities opt for customized software solutions designed for better performance within the facility-management stream-specifically, easier in terms of care for residents as well as tracking financial issues. Different types of software for assisted living facilities include EHRs, medication management systems, point-of-care solutions, and application-based communication platforms. Healthcare providers can utilize EHRs to store patient data such as medical history, vital signs, and treatment plans safely, so these become accessible. Medication management systems can allow safe and accurate dispensing and tracking of medication by reducing medication errors and enhancing patient safety. Point-of-care solutions incorporate mobile devices or tablets from which staff can record and access patient information right at the bedside to help develop efficiency as well as communication. Communication platforms promote real-time communication by staff, residents, and their families. It is in an environment of relationships built on trust and openness. The software in ALFs can offer many advantages. It would allow automation of much of the processes, including scheduling, billing, and reporting, hence saves staff time to provide more personalized care to deliver to the residents. The use of software also helps in making record keeping even better and more accurate with efficiency, reducing the possibilities of mistakes, and ensure that all the regulations' needs are met. Other benefits that the software could facilitate include effective communication and coordination of different employee members, at the same time as improving the overall coordination of care and results of patients. Recent developments include: March 2023: Sapiens International Corporation launched its state-of-the-art Customer Acquisition solution in collaboration with EquiTrust, a leading North American life and health insurance company. It empowers EquiTrust's marketing partners to illustrate, sell and complete digital application entries for a newly available Annuity/Long Term Care hybrid insurance product, Bridge, leveraging Sapiens' award-winning IllustrationPro and ApplicationPro to provide a next-generation digital experience., February 2022: Creative Solutions in Healthcare (CSNHC) launched a new software platform, Connected Care Center, to increase transparency in its 92 skilled nursing facilities.. Key drivers for this market are: Rise in Aging Population, Healthcare Reforms and Government Initiatives; Growing Burden of Chronic Diseases. Potential restraints include: Unwillingness of the Traditional Long-term Care Providers to Adopt Software, High Investment and Maintenance Costs. Notable trends are: Electronic Health Records Projected to Have Notable Growth Rate Over the Forecast Period.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/open-government-licence-ontariohttps://www.ontario.ca/page/open-government-licence-ontario
This dataset contains records of publicly reported data on COVID-19 testing in Ontario long-term care homes. It was collected between April 24, 2020 and March 30, 2023.
Summary data is aggregated to the provincial level. Reports fewer than 5 are indicated with <5 to maintain the privacy of individuals.
An outbreak is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in residents, staff or other visitors in a home, with an epidemiological link, within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the long-term care home. Prior to April 7, 2021, the definition required one or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in a resident or staff in the long-term care home.
Notes
February 21 to March 29, 2023: Data is only available for regular business days (for example, Monday through Friday, except statutory holidays)
March 12 – 13, 2022: Due to technical difficulties, data is not available.
September 8, 2022: The data dated September 6, 2022 represents data collected during the period of September 3, 4 and 5, 2022.
October 6, 2022: The data dated October 5, 2022 represents data collected during the period of October 1, 2, 3 and 4, 2022.
October 13, 2022: Due to technical difficulties, data for the date of October 9 is not available.
October 20, 2022: Due to technical difficulties, data for the dates of October 15, 16 is not available.
November 24, 2022: Due to technical difficulties, data is not available.
In Europe, a significant amount of healthcare expenditure is spent on long-term residential care facilities. In 2022, the Netherlands spent roughly ** percent of its healthcare expenditure on long-term residential care. On the other hand, less than *** percent of the healthcare expenditure in Croatia, Bulgaria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina was used by long-term residential care facilities.
The expenditure on providers of long-term care for elderly in the Netherlands saw no significant changes in 2022 in comparison to the previous year 2021 and remained at around 23.8 billion euros. Nevertheless, 2022 still represents a peak in the expenditure in the Netherlands with 23.8 billion euros. Find more statistics on other topics about the Netherlands with key insights such as average distance to health care facilities and share of hospitals with a profitability less than zero percent.
Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License information was derived automatically
This table contains information on expenditure and financing in current prices on the health care used by residents in the Netherlands in one year. All activities within the area of health care are included, irrespective of whether they are performed within or outside the health care sector. These figures are based on the definition of the System of Health Accounts as used by EUROSTAT, the OECD and the WHO. The figures are derived from the Dutch statistics on health and social care, which cover a broader range of activities (including e.g. child day care, welfare, and social services). Exports are also included. In this table it can be found in the financing item Rest of the world; exports. This table also shows how the total figure in accordance with the System of Health Accounts is calculated from the total figure health and social care: Total figure on health and social care -/- exports -/- non-healthcare providers (welfare, children’s day care) for residents -/- health-related products (like social long term care) for residents = Total current expenditure on health Data available from 1998 to 2022 Status of the figures: The figures for 2022 are provisional; the figures for 2020-2021 are revised provisional; the figures for the other years are final. The figures for 2020-2022 will not be made final, as this table has been discontinued. Changes as of 14 July 2023: - The figures for 2022 have been added, the figures for 2019-2021 have been updated. - The table has been discontinued. When will new figures be published? Not, this table has been discontinued and will be replaced by new tables, see section 3.
Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License information was derived automatically
This table provides data on spending on care in actual prices, presenting spending on groups of providers according to three approaches: 1 Health and welfare expenditure, taking into account all activities in the field of care, including welfare and childcare, regardless of whether these activities take place as a main or as a secondary activity. 2 Health expenditures following the international definition of the System of Health Accounts. In doing so, all activities are divided into a part that is seen as health care, and a part that falls outside and includes, for example, social care. 3 Health care expenses paid for by compulsory insurance. This is the part of the healthcare expenditure under 1) that is paid through the Healthcare Insurance Act (until 2005 by the Sickness Insurance Fund), and the long-term care insurance, the Long-term Care Act (Wlz) (until 2014 the General Exceptional Medical Expenses Act (AWBZ)). The obligation consists of the mandatory participation. This approach indicates how big the difference is with the healthcare expenditure for which the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport is responsible, the Budgetary Framework for Care (BKZ). With effect from the 2019 budget, the term 'Budgetair Kader Zorg' (Budgetary Framework for Care) has been replaced by 'Expenditure ceiling for care' (UPZ).
Data available from 1998 to 2022
Status of figures: Figures for 2021 and 2022 are further provisional. As this table has been discontinued, the figures are no longer definitive. Figures for the remaining years are final.
Changes as of 10 December 2024: - The name of the topic 'health care expenditures in the broad sense' has been changed to 'health and welfare expenditures'. - The table has been discontinued.
When will there be new figures? No longer applicable. The table has been discontinued and is followed by table Health and welfare expenditure; key figures (see paragraph 3). Revised figures have been published in the new table. New data sources were processed and the most up-to-date statistical insights were applied.
Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License information was derived automatically
This table provides an overview of the key figures on health and care available on StatLine. All figures are taken from other tables on StatLine, either directly or through a simple conversion. In the original tables, breakdowns by characteristics of individuals or other variables are possible. The period after the year of review before data become available differs between the data series. The number of exam passes/graduates in year t is the number of persons who obtained a diploma in school/study year starting in t-1 and ending in t.
Data available from: 2001
Status of the figures:
2024: Most available figures are definite. Figures are provisional for: - causes of death; - youth care; - persons employed in health and welfare; - persons employed in healthcare; - Mbo health care graduates; - Hbo nursing graduates / medicine graduates (university).
2023: Most available figures are definite. Figures are provisional for: - perinatal mortality at pregnancy duration at least 24 weeks; - diagnoses known to the general practitioner; - hospital admissions by some diagnoses; - average period of hospitalisation; - supplied drugs; - AWBZ/Wlz-funded long term care; - physicians and nurses employed in care; - persons employed in health and welfare; - average distance to facilities; - profitability and operating results at institutions. Figures are revised provisional for: - expenditures on health and welfare.
2022: Most available figures are definite. Figures are revised provisional for: - expenditures on health and welfare.
2021: Most available figures are definite, Figures are revised provisional for: - expenditures on health and welfare.f
2020 and earlier: All available figures are definite.
Changes as of 4 July 2025: More recent figures have been added for: - causes of death; - life expectancy; - life expectancy in perceived good health; - self-perceived health; - hospital admissions by some diagnoses; - sickness absence; - average period of hospitalisation; - contacts with health professionals; - youth care; - smoking, heavy drinkers, physical activity; - overweight; - high blood pressure; - physicians and nurses employed in care; - persons employed in health and welfare; - persons employed in healthcare; - Mbo health care graduates; - Hbo nursing graduates / medicine graduates (university); - expenditures on health and welfare; - profitability and operating results at institutions.
Changes as of 18 december 2024: - Distance to facilities: the figures withdrawn on 5 June have been replaced (unchanged). - Youth care: the previously published final results for 2021 and 2022 have been adjusted due to improvements in the processing. - Due to a revision of the statistics Expenditure on health and welfare 2021, figures for expenditure on health and welfare care have been replaced from 2021 onwards. - Due to the revision of the National Accounts, the figures on persons employed in health and welfare have been replaced for all years. - AWBZ/Wlz-funded long term care: from 2015, the series Wlz residential care including total package at home has been replaced by total Wlz care. This series fits better with the chosen demarcation of indications for Wlz care.
When will new figures be published? New figures will be published in December 2025.
Medicaid spent approximately *** billion U.S. dollars on long-term care services in 2023, which was an increase on the previous year. **********, ********, and ********* were the states with the highest long-term care expenditures. States support home- and community-based care Combined spending on nursing care facilities, home health care, and other health care made up roughly one-third of Medicaid’s total costs in 2019. Other health care costs include home- and community-based waiver programs that allow people to receive long-term care at home or in their community. Nearly all states offer the waivers, which can substantially reduce expenditures for Medicaid enrollees who would otherwise have to enter a long-term institutional service, such as a nursing home. In recent decades, the distribution of Medicaid’s long-term care services expenditures has shifted toward home- and community-based care. The costs of in-home care are rising Long-term care expenditures vary depending on the setting, location, and level of care required. In 2020, the annual median cost of long-term care in the United States ranged from ****** U.S. dollars for adult day health care services to ******* U.S. dollars for a private room in a nursing home. In general, the costs of nursing home facilities were considerably higher than those for home care and community living options. However, in-home care reported the highest year-on-year cost increases, and growing demand for the services has led to a rise in spending on home health care over recent years.