Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Mark Warner (D-Va) released a discussion draft to outline their bipartisan proposal to improve health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic diseases.
The plan includes 15 proposals with a focus on minor changes to existing programs to better serve Medicare beneficiaries with chronic diseases. A number of the proposals provide additional flexibility within the Medicare Advantage program including extending special needs plans and allowing tailoring for patients with chronic care needs. Other proposals expand the use of telemedicine including within Accountable Care Organizations taking on two sided risk, greater access to telestroke monitoring, and allowing patient monitoring by telehealth for home dialysis. A section-by-section summary can be found here.
The bill will be introduced in November, according to Senate Finance Committee staff. NRHA will continue to provide feedback on the proposal and monitor future legislation. NRHA supports these proposals but is disappointed the proposal does not provide more opportunities for better management of chronic diseases in rural America.