July 6, 2016

Contact: Nisha Bhat
                National Coalition on Health Care
                nbhat@nchc.org
                202-638-7151, ext. 106

New Bipartisan Medicare Bill Opens Door to Higher Quality, Lower Cost

Statement by NCHC President and CEO John Rother on Introduction of the Independence at Home Act of 2016 by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)

“This bipartisan legislation opens the door to home-based primary care for nearly two million of Medicare’s frailest beneficiaries—an approach that is proven to save money for taxpayers even as it improves care quality. The Independence at Home Act ought to be near the top of Congress’ to-do list.”

Since 2011, the CMS Independence at Home (IAH) Practice Demonstration has given 90,000 Medicare beneficiaries access to a team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and social workers who provide high-quality primary care in the beneficiaries’ own home, yielding $3070 in annual savings per beneficiary while improving quality. But a provision in current law prevents its expansion without Congressional action.

“Lawmakers should ensure that beneficiaries across the country can access this enormously successful, cost-saving Independence at Home program.”

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The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), the oldest and most diverse group working to achieve comprehensive health system reform, is a 501(c)(3) organization representing more than 80 participating organizations, including medical societies, businesses, unions, health care providers, faith-based associations, pension and health funds, insurers and groups representing consumers, patients, women, minorities and persons with disabilities. Member organizations collectively represent – as employees, members, or congregants – over 100 million Americans.

Some members of NCHC do not, or cannot, take positions either on specific legislation, strategies or on any policies outside their respective mission areas. However, all that can, do endorse broad policy positions in support of comprehensive health system change.