Advocacy Issue: Hospital-at-Home Waivers

The Issue

The hospital-at-home (H@H) model — where patients receive acute-level care in their homes, rather than in a hospital — has emerged as an innovative and promising approach to providing high-quality care to patients in the comfort of their homes. In the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (CAA 2023), Congress included a two-year extension of this waiver, which received no score from the Congressional Budget Office. Congressional action is needed to extend the waivers for this program, which are set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.

AHA Position

The AHA supports the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (H.R. 8260/S. 4350) introduced in the House by Representatives Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., and in the Senate by Senators Tom Carper, D-Del., and Tim Scott, R-S.C. The bill extends the H@H waiver for five years through the end of 2029.

Hospitals and health systems see H@H programs as a safe and innovative way to care for patients in the comfort of their homes. This kind of care is well suited for medium acuity patients who need hospitallevel care but are considered stable enough to be safely monitored from home. Rather than staying three days or longer in the hospital, these patients can be treated safely by their doctor, a team of medical professionals and the patient’s support system at home.

Recognizing both the immediate and potential long-term benefits of telehealth, we urge Congress, CMS, and DEA to take action to make critical telehealth flexibilities permanent.