Washington, D.C. — A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is rallying support for a new bill aimed at extending hospital-at-home programs, offering a lifeline to health systems and patients who have come to rely on this model of care. The legislation, spearheaded by Senators Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, and Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, proposes to prolong federal waivers that have allowed hospitals to deliver acute care in patients’ homes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government relaxed regulations surrounding hospital-at-home programs, leading to a significant uptake in their usage. Warnock and Scott argue that their proposed legislation will not only prolong these initiatives but will also provide essential stability for health care providers considering investing in home hospital programs.
As of late June, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has approved 400 hospital-at-home programs, with 142 health systems operating across 39 states. Despite this growth, some hospitals have been hesitant to expand their home care offerings due to uncertainty regarding long-term federal support. The current temporary waivers, which were extended in a recent short-term spending bill, are set to expire at the end of September, compelling lawmakers to act swiftly.
Hospitals and health systems have been advocating for permanent reforms that would facilitate ongoing home hospital and telehealth programs. They are pushing for multi-year extensions to ensure continuity of care. “This legislation is about protecting access to quality health care, lowering costs for patients, and improving the health and well-being of our family and neighbors,” Warnock said, emphasizing the need for congressional support.
The benefits of providing acute care at home are manifold, as hospitals report higher patient satisfaction from these programs. Patients can receive treatment in the comfort of their own environments, which often leads to better recovery outcomes. Federal regulations stipulate that patients under this program must be visited in person at least twice a day, a requirement that aims to maintain a high level of care.
Research indicates that hospital-at-home initiatives have achieved low mortality rates, further endorsing this model as a viable alternative to traditional hospital settings. Scott noted the necessity for the healthcare system to adapt to modern patient needs, highlighting that this legislation would ensure that successful hospital-at-home programs could continue to benefit families across the nation.
Support for hospital-at-home and telehealth programs is reportedly broad and bipartisan, with Kyle Zebley, a senior vice president at the American Telemedicine Association, indicating that lawmakers may approve another temporary extension. Additionally, four senators have joined Warnock and Scott as co-sponsors, including Marsha Blackburn, Tina Smith, Thom Tillis, and Sheldon Whitehouse.
The proposed bill would also require the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study of hospital-at-home programs, examining their outcomes, readmission rates, mortality rates, and duration of stay.
Notably, previous efforts to secure a long-term extension for these programs met setbacks late last year, as a broader spending package that included such measures was ultimately revised, stripping critical provisions. As lawmakers navigate these complex healthcare reforms, the future effectiveness of hospital-at-home programs remains a focal point in the ongoing discussion surrounding healthcare accessibility and affordability.
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