Reps. Castor & Buchanan Reintroduce Bill to Expand Hospital at Home, Lower Health Care Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Vern Buchanan (FL-16) reintroduced the bipartisan At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation (HOME) Services Act to expand access to innovative health care models for Medicare patients under observation status. Hospital-at-home is helping hospitals deliver high-quality care to patients in the comfort of their own homes while easing pressure on crowded facilities and improving patient experiences.

The At HOME Services Act would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a two-year pilot program that allows hospitals to provide hospital-level care at home for eligible patients while maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards. The legislation is designed to improve care coordination, reduce unnecessary hospital stays and give providers more flexibility to meet patients where they are.

"Tampa Bay hospitals have been leading the way in delivering innovative, high-quality care that saves time and money, and puts patients first," said Rep. Castor. "The bipartisan At HOME Services Act will help expand safe, cost-effective hospital-at-home care so more neighbors can receive treatment comfortably at home while freeing up hospital capacity for patients with more urgent and intensive needs. This approach will lower costs, improve patient experiences and strengthen care for families across our community. I'm grateful to our local health care providers for continuing to lead with innovation and to Congressman Buchanan for partnering with me on this bipartisan effort."

"This commonsense legislation builds upon the incredible success individuals have seen in hospital-at-home programs and is a much-needed solution to the healthcare challenges facing our country," said Congressman Buchanan. "The At HOME Services Act is an important step in ensuring patients receive the level of care they need and deserve in the comfort of their own homes."

"Rapid advancements in technology are creating new opportunities to expand access to high-quality health care, and hospital-at-home care is a proven model that should be advanced and supported. Leveraging sophisticated, around-the-clock remote monitoring alongside in-home visits from clinical professionals enables patients to safely receive hospital-level care where they are most comfortable-at home. We are incredibly grateful to Representatives Kathy Castor and Vern Buchanan for sponsoring legislation that allows health care providers to build upon the success of hospital-at-home models by supporting more patients, such as those who may not need to be admitted to a hospital inpatient bed but still require hospital observation status that can be supported in their home," said Mary Mayhew, President & CEO of the Florida Hospital Association.

"The extension of the Hospital-at-Home waiver gives health systems the stability needed to truly innovate," said BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners. "With a five-year runway now in place, it's time to build on that foundation and expand the patient population eligible for hospital-at-home care. Doing so allows us to better meet patients where they are, improve comfort and outcomes, and ensure hospital resources are available for the sickest patients. We appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Rep. Castor and Rep. Buchanan in advancing solutions that strengthen community-based care."

"Tampa General Hospital has been operating a CMS-approved Hospital at Home program since 2022 and has seen firsthand the remarkable evidence via enhanced patient experiences and improved patient outcomes. This is a true model of innovation that integrates remote patient monitoring, telehealth visits, and in-person comprehensive care by trained medical providers," said Tampa General Hospital CEO John Couris.

"We thank Representatives Castor and Buchanan for reintroducing the At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation Services Act and advancing care models that meet patients where they are. By strengthening and scaling Hospital at Home, this legislation supports Moffitt's investments in virtual care and remote monitoring and helps eligible cancer patients receive high-quality, patient-centered care with fewer disruptions to daily life," said Philippe E. Spiess, MD, Chief of Clinical Innovation, and Cristina Naso, Senior Director, Virtual Care and Ambulatory Operations Center.