Duval Times

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tom Carper (D-DE) have introduced the At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation (HOME) Services Act, a new bill aimed at addressing the need for hospital beds for high-need patients. The bill seeks to establish a hospital-at-home pilot program that would expand the current acute hospital-at-home program to include observation status patients.

The hospital-at-home program has been crucial in helping hospitals free up beds and staff for patients in need of greater care. However, it currently only covers acute patients, leaving observation status patients without the same level of access to hospital-level care. The HOME Services Act aims to bridge this gap and ensure that all patients receive the necessary care, regardless of their status.

Senator Rubio highlights the importance of innovative solutions in addressing healthcare challenges. He states, "Addressing our healthcare challenges requires innovative solutions. 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."

Senator Carper, who has worked to increase and expand access to hospital-level care from the comfort of home, emphasizes the success of these services in reducing costs and improving patient outcomes. He says, "The pandemic taught us that meeting patients where they're at is possible and often preferred. That's why I worked to increase and expand access to hospital-level care from the comfort of home. 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."

The introduction of the HOME Services Act has garnered support from Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who is an original cosponsor of the legislation. This bipartisan effort reflects the recognition of the need to prioritize high-need patients and provide them with the necessary care in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

With the hospital-at-home program already proving its effectiveness in freeing up beds and staff, expanding it to include observation status patients is a logical step forward. The HOME Services Act aims to build on the success of this program and further improve patient outcomes while reducing costs.

As healthcare continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges, innovative solutions like the hospital-at-home program are crucial in ensuring that patients receive the care they need. The At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation (HOME) Services Act, introduced by Senators Rubio and Carper, represents a promising step towards freeing up hospital beds for high-need patients and improving overall healthcare outcomes.