Today, the House Ways and Means Committee convened to tackle the pressing issue of expanding access to at-home care services in rural and underserved communities. Led by Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08), the committee delved into the necessity of modernized and expanded services to meet the growing needs of Americans.

"Millions of Americans now have access to quality healthcare in the comfort of their homes, thanks to advancements in technology and the flexibility provided by healthcare providers," Chairman Smith emphasized in his opening statement. He stressed the importance of eliminating barriers such as limited broadband access and technical awareness to ensure equitable access to these vital services.

Throughout the hearing, expert witnesses shared their insights and experiences regarding the benefits of at-home care. Bell Maddux, a home dialysis patient, highlighted the transformative impact of home dialysis on her quality of life, advocating for greater awareness and access to such services for patients with chronic conditions.

Roy Underhill, a resident of Saxapahaw, North Carolina, shared his journey of accessing healthcare at home in rural communities, emphasizing the comfort and effectiveness of receiving care in familiar surroundings.

Dr. Nathan Starr, Medical Director at Intermountain Healthcare, testified about the success of the Hospital Level Care at Home Initiative, which has provided hospital-level care to patients in their homes, resulting in reduced readmission rates and high patient satisfaction scores.

Chris Altchek, CEO of Cadence, emphasized the importance of remote physiologic monitoring in managing chronic diseases, advocating for policy changes to ensure equitable access to these services.

Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, MD, discussed the rapid adoption of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and offered policy recommendations to expand access to telehealth services while addressing disparities in access and outcomes.

The hearing underscored the critical need for continued investment and innovation in at-home care services to improve access and outcomes for all Americans, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.

In conclusion, Chairman Smith reiterated the committee's commitment to exploring legislative solutions to enhance access to high-quality at-home care services.

For further information or to submit written comments for the hearing record, please contact the House Ways and Means Committee at [email protected].

This summary was developed by the Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law, a non-profit telehealth policy research institute, www.ctel.org