Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act
Summary
The "Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act" (H.R. 4313) extends the acute hospital care at home waiver flexibilities under the Social Security Act until September 30, 2030. It also mandates an additional study and report on the acute hospital care at home waiver flexibilities. The bill allocates $2.5 million for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct this study.
Expected Effects
This act will allow hospitals to continue providing acute care services to patients in their homes under waivers. The additional study aims to analyze the quality, cost, and outcomes of this care model compared to traditional inpatient settings.
Potential Benefits
- Extends access to hospital-level care in the home setting for eligible patients.
- Provides continued flexibility for hospitals in delivering care.
- Funds a study to assess the quality and cost-effectiveness of at-home care, potentially leading to improved care models.
- Could reduce hospital readmission rates and improve patient satisfaction.
- May lead to more efficient use of hospital resources.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs if at-home care is not managed effectively.
- Risk of reduced quality of care if monitoring and support are inadequate.
- Selection bias in study participants could skew results.
- Possible strain on family members or caregivers who assist with at-home care.
- Reduction in Medicare Improvement Fund by $2.5 million.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it seeks to improve healthcare access and efficiency. Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to healthcare under the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8) to execute its powers to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare. The allocation of funds is subject to congressional appropriations, a power explicitly granted in Article I, Section 9.
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).