WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation with Tom Reed (R-NY) to improve hospice care for patients, families and providers.
The Hospice Care Access Improvement Act of 2015 would help hospice patients receive the care they need by making sure they have access to the resources to make informed decisions about end-of-life-care, all while cracking down on bad actor hospice programs.
“This bill will help make sure patients receive the highest quality hospice services, families have peace of mind they need during difficult times, and providers are able to offer consistent care,” said Thompson. “By cracking down on bad actors, expanding access to information and resources, and making sure payments are made on a timely basis, we can improve the hospice system for patients, families and providers.”
“We are making sure patients and families have access to the best possible, quality care during what can be a very challenging time in their lives,” said Reed. “Our hospice providers do an excellent job providing that care and peace of mind to families in need. It’s important that we help these providers continue their critical care missions.”
Reed went on to say, “We can’t let a few hospice providers who are cheating the system ruin the great work that most of these providers are doing every day.”
The bill also launches a pilot program to begin testing major payment reforms for the way The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimburses Hospice providers for care given to patients.
The bill also improves access to Hospice care by increasing the number of health professionals which are able to perform pre-hospice evaluations and counseling services.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Hub in Upper Lake will host a Sports Physical and Wellness Fair on Wednesday, July 22.
Hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. at The Hub, 750 Old Lucerne Road.
The sports physicals are for high school students, while the wellness fair is for the community at large.
The requested donation per physical is $5. The fair is free.
For more information, contact Hub Coordinator Lorree Lewis at 707-275-8166.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson’s (D-CA) bipartisan legislation to improve health care service and access to Medicare beneficiaries, and save tax dollars passed the House on Wednesday and will go to President Obama to be signed into law.
The legislation, titled the Medicare Independence at Home Medical Practice Demonstration Improvement Act of 2015 (H.R. 2196/S. 971) extends the Independence at Home Medical Practice Demonstration Program (IAH) for two years.
IAH is a voluntary, home-based primary care service offered to Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions.
Through this program, doctors provide primary care services to high-need Medicare patients in their own home.
Thompson introduced the bill with Reps. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) and Peter J. Roskam (R-IL).
“The IAH demonstration improves access, quality of care, and quality of life for our most ill Medicare patients while saving taxpayer dollars,” said Thompson. “It’s an important program that works and this bipartisan bill will make sure seniors are able to keep taking advantage of it.”
IAH requires that those who use the program demonstrate annual savings, improved outcomes, and patient and family caregiver satisfaction.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is charged with assessing whether delivery of the in-home care at home improves services for Medicare beneficiaries and increases patient satisfaction.
“IAH allows me as an osteopathic physician as well as other health care providers to assess patients in their homes in order to gain a better understanding of the patient’s overall condition and well-being, avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations, ER visits, or nursing home use,” said Dr. Norm Vinn, D.O., Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Housecall Doctors Medical Group in Laguna Hills. Vinn is a nationally recognized leader on integrated care coordination and past president of the American Osteopathic Association. “Most importantly, IAH allows these most frail Medicare beneficiaries to remain safely at home where they are most comfortable,” Vinn said.
Since its implementation three years ago, IAH has proven to help patients avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, ER visits, and nursing home use.
Last month, CMS announced that the program saved more than $25 million- an average of $3,070 per beneficiary- in its first performance year.
Thompson’s bipartisan legislation is endorsed by the American Osteopathic Association, the National Coalition of Health Care and the Independence at Home Coalition, which includes national medical societies and patient advocacy organizations such as AARP, the American Nurses Association, and The American Academy of Home Care Physicians.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Community Care HIV/AIDS Program will provide free, anonymous HIV testing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 17.
The tests will be offered at The Bridge Peer Support Center, 14954 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake.
Individuals interested in testing will have an opportunity to meet with a test counselor before and after testing.
Counseling before and after an HIV test is important because it provides critical information about HIV itself and about the testing process.
The oral swab test will provide results in 20 minutes. Once available, individuals will be given the results in private and in person.
More than 1.1 million people in the United Stated are living with HIV infection and almost 1 in 6 are unaware of their infection. Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives.
Participants will receive a $5 shopping voucher upon completion of test while supplies last.
For more information call 707-995-1606.