Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for moving this bill through Ways and Means and for having us consider this bill this evening, the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, which is legislation led by my friend, Congressman Buchanan. I appreciate his leadership on this, and I was pleased to be able to support the effort, as well.

This bipartisan bill would enable hospitals to extend their successful hospital at home programs for another 5 years. The hospital at home model gives hospitals the flexibility to treat certain patients in the comfort and convenience of their own homes rather than in the hospital facility.

Over 31,000 patients received acute level care in their homes as of October 2024, and studies show that hospital systems achieved savings of 19 percent regarding these patients who required a shorter average length of stay and used fewer unnecessary services.

A number of hospitals in my district have used the hospital at home waiver to great effect. For example, one system with a hospital in my community has accepted more than 800 patients across all of their facilities, freeing up more than 1,500 hospital bed days and saving approximately $1.1 million.

This is exactly the kind of program that we should be encouraging. It allows medical providers to innovate and provide better care for their patients. Patients like being at home, as well. It decreases costs over the long run. By extending the hospital at home waiver for 5 years, this bill that we are considering today would give hospitals the certainty they need to continue to build out these innovative care models and serve their patients in a holistic way after the disruption caused by the Democratic shutdown.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important legislation, which is a clear win for patients and taxpayers.

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