Senators seek to expand hospital at home
By HME News Staff
Updated 8:40 AM CST, Wed February 14, 2024
WASHINGTON – Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Tom Carper, D-Del., have introduced the At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation (HOME) Services Act, a bill that would establish a pilot program to test expanding acute hospital care at home. The hospital-at-home program has been essential in helping hospitals free up beds and staff for patients in need of greater care, the senators point out, but only covers acute patients not observation status patients. “Addressing our health care challenges requires innovative solutions,” said Rubio. “The At HOME Services Act builds on the success of the hospital-at-home program to lower costs and burdens and improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., is also an original co-sponsor of the bill. The pandemic showed that meeting patients where they’re at is possible and often preferred, the senators say. “That’s why I worked to increase and expand access to hospital-level care from the comfort of home,” Carper said. “These services have seen tremendous success for people across the country, including in Delaware, and the At HOME Services Act would build on these programs to continue reducing costs and improving patient outcomes.”
Comments