Better Care Better Jobs Act (S. 2210/H.R. 4131)

Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) enable seniors

and people with disabilities to remain in their homes, stay active in their

communities, and lead independent lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has

highlighted anew how critical these services are for beneficiaries’ and

their families’ well-being and safety. The home has long been the most

desired site of care, and Medicaid HCBS recipients consistently report

high satisfaction with these services. Care in the home is also the most

cost-effective and fiscally responsible setting for care delivery. HCBS

may include home health care, durable medical equipment, personal

care services, and hospice care, as well as human services such as adult

daycare, meal delivery, transportation, and home modifications.  CLICK FMI

Oppose Additional Reductions To The Hospice Aggregate Cap

While the recommendation is an attempt by MedPAC to address outlier hospice program utilization, this overly blunt proposal is problematic.  Reducing the aggregate cap could affect patient access to care and  further exacerbate health disparities in hospice access and utilization.  CLICK FMI

Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act (S. 2565)

This bill requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a model that provides community-based palliative care and care coordination for high-risk Medicare beneficiaries and that may replace the Medicare Care Choices Model (currently set to expire on December 31, 2021). CLICK FMI

Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act (H.R. 4040)

This bill extends a number of the most important telehealth flexibilities through the end of 2024. This bill recently passed the US House with overwhelming bipartisan support. We now need the Senate to do the same and get it over the finish line! CLICK FMI

Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) (S. 4260)

This bill makes transformative investments in this critical workforce by funding new programs and initiatives to increase specialty hospice and palliative knowledge and competencies across the health care system. PCHETA has been introduced in past congresses, and has garnered major bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. CLICK FMI

Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022 (S. 4605/H.R. 8581)

The Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022 (S. 4605/H.R. 8581) would prevent proposed cuts to home health payment rates from taking effect prior to 2026. Any adjustment needed to ensure budget neutrality under the new home health payment system would still be made within the budget window.  CLICK FMI