Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act
Summary
The Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act extends the acute hospital care at home waiver flexibilities under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act until September 30, 2030. It also mandates an additional study and report on these flexibilities, focusing on quality of care, costs, and patient outcomes. The Act appropriates $2.5 million for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to conduct this study and makes a minor adjustment to the Medicare Improvement Fund.
Expected Effects
This act will extend the availability of acute hospital care at home, allowing more patients to receive hospital-level care in their residences. The additional study aims to provide data-driven insights into the effectiveness and efficiency of this care model. This could lead to further policy adjustments and improvements in healthcare delivery.
Potential Benefits
- Extends access to acute hospital care at home for Medicare beneficiaries.
- Provides additional data on the quality, cost, and outcomes of at-home care.
- Potentially reduces hospital readmission rates and improves patient experience.
- May lead to more efficient allocation of healthcare resources.
- Supports innovation in healthcare delivery models.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for selection bias in the study, impacting data reliability.
- Possible increased costs if at-home care is not managed effectively.
- Risk of reduced quality of care if monitoring and oversight are insufficient.
- May exacerbate existing disparities in access to technology and home environments.
- The $2.5 million appropriation reduces the Medicare Improvement Fund by a corresponding amount.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, which falls under Congress's power to provide for the general welfare as outlined in the Preamble of the Constitution. The extension of waiver flexibilities and the mandate for a study are within Congress's legislative authority as described in Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).