Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) unveiled the bipartisan Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at extending the Acute Hospital Care at Home program. This proposed bill seeks to provide a 5-year extension to the program, allowing participating healthcare providers to continue offering enhanced access to care services.
The Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act comes as a response to the growing demand for hospital-level care in the comfort of patients’ homes. By extending the Acute Hospital Care at Home program, Medicare beneficiaries will have the opportunity to receive quality care in familiar surroundings.
This legislation incorporates valuable feedback from providers and health systems currently participating in or considering joining the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) program. Alongside the proposed 5-year extension, the bill also includes provisions for improving data collection required under the program. These enhancements aim to provide Congress with comprehensive insights to guide future decisions regarding the program’s permanency.
As of April 22, 2024, a total of 322 hospitals and 133 health systems across 37 states have been approved to participate in the AHCAH program, highlighting the widespread interest and need for hospital-level care at home.
Commenting on the significance of the proposed legislation, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a physician and Co-Chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus, emphasized the importance of providing patients with access to tailored care options. He expressed optimism that the bill would ensure continued access to Hospital Care at Home, enabling thousands of Americans to receive quality care in the safety and comfort of their own homes.
Echoing Rep. Wenstrup’s sentiments, Rep. Earl Blumenauer highlighted the positive impact of innovative healthcare delivery methods, particularly during the pandemic. Extending the waiver for the hospital at home program, he stated, would expand access to hospital-level care for thousands of Americans while offering stability to hospitals currently utilizing the program.
The introduction of the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act underscores bipartisan efforts to address the evolving healthcare needs of the American population and pave the way for innovative solutions in the delivery of quality healthcare services.
