Vallejo Times Herald - Thompson health bill heads to President’s desk

Bipartisan legislation from U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D- St. Helena) to improve health care service and access to Medicare beneficiaries and save tax dollars last week passed the House and now heads to the president to be signed into law, Thompson's office announced.

The Medicare Independence at Home Medical Practice Demonstration Improvement Act of 2015 extends for two years the Independence at Home Medical Practice Demonstration Program — a voluntary, home-based primary care service offered to Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions.

Through this program, doctors provide primary care services to high-need Medicare patients in their own homes.

Thompson introduced the bill with Reps. Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas) and Peter J. Roskam (R-Ill.).

"The (program) improves access, quality of care, and quality of life for our most ill Medicare patients while saving taxpayer dollars," Thompson said in a press release."It's an important program that works and this bipartisan bill will make sure seniors are able to keep taking advantage of it."

Those using the program are required to demonstrate annual savings, improved outcomes and patient and family caregiver satisfaction, the statement says. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is charged with assessing whether delivery of the in-home care at home improves services for Medicare beneficiaries and increases patient satisfaction.

Since its implementation three years ago, the program has proven to help patients avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, ER visits, and nursing home use, it says.

Last month, CMS announced the program saved more than $25 million — an average of $3,070 per beneficiary — in its first performance year, Thompson said.

The bill is endorsed by the American Osteopathic Association, the National Coalition of Health Care and the Independence at Home Coalition, which includes national medical societies and patient advocacy organizations like AARP, the American Nurses Association, and The American Academy of Home Care Physicians, he said.