Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan (R) introduced his "Hospital at Home" bill in July, and the House unanimously passed it before sending it to the Senate floor.
“The House unanimously passed my Hospital at Home bill to extend this program for five years,” Buchanan shared on X. “It will help hospitals deliver safe, high-quality care at a lower cost and ensure that seniors in Florida and nationwide can continue to receive care at home.”
The Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (H.R. 4313) intends to lower costs, improve care, and expand access for seniors by extending the already existing “hospital and home” program through 2030, allowing hospitals to continue participating and providing quality care to patients.
The "Hospital at Home" program was first established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in November 2020 to provide hospitals with increased flexibility to care for certain patients from the comfort of their homes.
Studies from CMS show that treating patients in a familiar environment and routine accelerates recovery time, lowers mortality rates, and reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections and falls.
“At a time when our health care system is stretched thin, we need solutions like ‘Hospital at Home’ programs that help patients recover faster and get safe, high-quality care at a lower cost,” Buchanan said in a statement.
“My Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act will ensure that hundreds of hospitals, including dozens in Florida, can keep caring for patients in their own homes," Buchanan celebrated. "With hospitals under strain and chronic disease on the rise, today’s unanimous vote to extend this proven model reflects the kind of commonsense, bipartisan action Americans deserve.”
Missouri Representative Jason Smith (R), who joined Buchanan in pushing the bill, applauded Buchanan and 23 Florida hospitals that are participating in the program, as they are aiding in lowering costs and improving care.
“Instead of having to stay alone in a hospital for treatment, seniors can receive care and recover at home surrounded by friends and family," Smith remarked. "With 23 hospitals participating in this program in his home state of Florida alone, I commend Health Subcommittee Chairman Buchanan for leading the charge to improve health outcomes and fighting to continue this program to give Americans better health care at a lower cost.”
