LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE SWEEPING LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE AIMED AT GIVING PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS THE OPTION TO RECEIVE CARE AT HOME

Lawmakers introduce a comprehensive set of laws designed to offer patients and their caregivers the option of receiving medical treatment in the familiarity and convenience of their own residences.

Legislation proposed by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) would greatly increase the number of patients receiving care at home, by implementing a more efficient method of delivering medical injections.

We applaud Representatives Debbie Dingell and Adrian Smith for their leadership on this crucial legislation to remove barriers that currently limit patient access to care in the preferred setting of their home. We are pleased to support the bipartisan introduction of H.R. 2853 (the Expanding Care in the Home Act) in the House of Representatives on April 18, Tuesday, in Washington.

Rep. Smith expressed, “I am delighted to spearhead the initiation of this significant bill.” Furthermore, he stated, “The Expanding Care in the Home Act is a sensible approach to guaranteeing that Medicare can handle requests for in-home care services, and we should contemplate the convenience and solace that home care provides to individuals,” as we explore possibilities to update the care options available to senior citizens.

Rep. Dingell stated, “I am proud to introduce this legislation that will help remove barriers and increase options for patients receiving critical care in the setting of their choosing. We know that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of expanding access to healthcare beyond traditional hospital or doctor’s office settings has been highlighted, as people often prefer to receive care in the security and comfort of their own homes.”

We are grateful to Representatives Dingell and Smith for their commitment to modernizing our health care system, which showed us that it is possible and necessary for us to build a system where patients can meet their health care needs. “It’s advantageous for overall health and recovery,” stated Krista Drobac, the Founder of Moving Health Home.

The pandemic has taught us that home-based models of care are preferred by many patients, confirming polls and the increasing demand for options at home. In addition to increasing access to care in general, home-based models have also demonstrated their ability to successfully reduce costs, improve quality and outcomes, maintain safety comparable to or better than facilities, and address disparities in addressing disparities and improving facilities.

According to a recent study, a bipartisan majority of adults (73 percent of Democrats and 61 percent of Republicans) assert that expanding care in the home ought to be a top concern for the federal government.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) would ensure that home care is a viable option for patient care and flexible for healthcare professionals. More specifically, it would:

  • Enhance the practicality for primary care physicians to provide home-based healthcare, reintroducing house visits to Medicare recipients.
  • Create a personal care services benefit in Medicare to fill the gap for beneficiaries who are unable to afford out-of-pocket expenses for home care services and do not yet qualify for Medicaid.
  • Enhance the availability and affordability of home dialysis for individuals with kidney conditions.
  • Enhance availability of preventive screening by permitting beneficiaries to receive in-home laboratory testing.
  • Update obsolete regulations to enhance the provision of state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging in residential settings.
  • Enhance availability of in-home infusion services by tackling fragmentation and cost-effectiveness.
  • Develop the future cohort of the domestic caregiving labor force, comprising doctors, nurses, and emergency medical service providers.
  • If the ECHA is passed, it would ensure significant progress in making convenient, high-quality care accessible to all Americans.

    What Members of the MHH Community Are Saying.

    We believe that the Home Care Expanding Act will help facilitate the shift to new models of healthcare delivery that drive better patient outcomes and lower costs. This bill will enable a broader set of health care services to be offered in the home, serving as a vehicle to support the “whole population, providers, and patients” in delivering more care in the home, said Chris McCann, Co-Founder and CEO of Health Current.

    Margaret Haynes, President and CEO of Right at Home and a member of Moving Health Home, expressed her enthusiasm for the Expanding Care in the Home Act. She explained that their 385 provider locations throughout the United States frequently receive inquiries from seniors and their families, who inquire about the coverage of assistance with daily activities under Original Medicare. She emphasized the need for the passage of this bill, which would grant all Medicare beneficiaries access to home care when it is most necessary.

    There is strong and indisputable evidence that care can be effectively and safely delivered in the home environment, even for acutely ill patients, as stated by Maulik Majmudar, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Founder of Biofourmis, a global leader in multi-specialty, tech-enabled home-based care delivery. When we look at the established cost savings and clinical improvements in outcomes of care-at-home programs, there is a clear value proposition and positive return on investment driving a healthcare revolution at home. It is essential to expand the Home Care Act in order to ensure that more patients in need, especially those with chronic and post-acute conditions, continue to have access to care-based models that combine these technology platforms with the right scaling and clinical adoption.

    I am hopeful that policymakers will capitalize on the tailwinds of the pandemic to continue ensuring high-quality healthcare access for every American. Not only is it a convenience to bring healthcare to patients at home, but it is also the only way to address their medical needs and ensure they receive high-quality care. We have the privilege of touching the lives of many complex patients in our nation’s healthcare ecosystem, but a significant portion of the American population is limited in their ability to access quality care. The recent public health emergency has revealed several cracks in our healthcare system. Officer Strategy and Co-Founder of DispatchHealth, Kevin Riddleberger, stated this.