Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 5439
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5439Health
Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act
INTRO SEP 17· LAST ACTION SEP 17
READING
9MIN
COSPONSORS
31
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to address a critical issue in healthcare: the link between nutrition, recovery, and hospital readmissions. Many patients, especially older adults, struggle with proper nutrition after leaving the hospital, which can lead to complications and a quick return to the emergency room or inpatient care. This not only negatively impacts patient health and quality of life but also drives up healthcare costs.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to better health outcomes for vulnerable patients, reduce the financial burden of repeat hospital stays, and potentially establish a new model for preventative care under Medicare. If it doesn't pass, patients will continue to face existing challenges in managing their nutrition post-discharge, and the healthcare system will miss an opportunity to test an intervention that could improve care and efficiency.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Establishes a 6-year pilot program called the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program under Medicare Part A.
This creates a new initiative to test if providing tailored meals at home can improve health and reduce hospital readmissions.
PROVISION 02
Requires the selection of at least 40 eligible hospitals, including critical access hospitals, to participate in the program based on quality ratings and capacity.
This ensures the program is implemented by capable healthcare providers and covers a diverse range of hospital types.
PROVISION 03
Mandates selected hospitals to provide at least two medically tailored home-delivered meals daily for at least 12 weeks, plus medical nutrition therapy, to qualified individuals.
This specifies the core service provided, ensuring patients receive targeted nutritional support and professional guidance.
PROVISION 04
Prohibits deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing for items and services under the program.
This ensures that financial barriers do not prevent eligible Medicare beneficiaries from accessing critical nutritional support.
PROVISION 05
Requires the Secretary to monitor and conduct intermediate and final evaluations of the program's effect on health outcomes and readmission rates.
This provision is crucial for assessing the effectiveness and potential scalability of the pilot program.
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to address a critical issue in healthcare: the link between nutrition, recovery, and hospital readmissions. Many patients, especially older adults, struggle with proper nutrition after leaving the hospital, which can lead to complications and a quick return to the emergency room or inpatient care. This not only negatively impacts patient health and quality of life but also drives up healthcare costs.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to better health outcomes for vulnerable patients, reduce the financial burden of repeat hospital stays, and potentially establish a new model for preventative care under Medicare. If it doesn't pass, patients will continue to face existing challenges in managing their nutrition post-discharge, and the healthcare system will miss an opportunity to test an intervention that could improve care and efficiency.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a 6-year pilot program called the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program under Medicare Part A.
This creates a new initiative to test if providing tailored meals at home can improve health and reduce hospital readmissions.
med
Requires the selection of at least 40 eligible hospitals, including critical access hospitals, to participate in the program based on quality ratings and capacity.
This ensures the program is implemented by capable healthcare providers and covers a diverse range of hospital types.
high
Mandates selected hospitals to provide at least two medically tailored home-delivered meals daily for at least 12 weeks, plus medical nutrition therapy, to qualified individuals.
This specifies the core service provided, ensuring patients receive targeted nutritional support and professional guidance.
high
Prohibits deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing for items and services under the program.
This ensures that financial barriers do not prevent eligible Medicare beneficiaries from accessing critical nutritional support.
med
Requires the Secretary to monitor and conduct intermediate and final evaluations of the program's effect on health outcomes and readmission rates.
This provision is crucial for assessing the effectiveness and potential scalability of the pilot program.
Not later than 30 months after the date of enactment
Program establishment for a 6-year period
Not later than June 30, 2027
Selection of at least 40 eligible hospitals to participate
Every 12 weeks after initial determination
Re-screening of qualified individuals to determine continued eligibility
At least 12 weeks following initial screen, and for each subsequent 12-week period
Provision of medically tailored home-delivered meals
For a period of at least 12 weeks and not more than 1 year
Provision of medical nutrition therapy
GLOSSARY
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Medicare Part A
The part of Medicare that covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals
Meals prepared and delivered to a person's home that are specifically designed by a health professional to meet their individual medical and dietary needs (e.g., for diabetes, heart disease, or allergies).
Readmission
When a patient who was recently discharged from a hospital has to be admitted to a hospital again, often for the same or a related health condition.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Nutritional assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and counseling services provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional to manage or treat a medical condition.
Critical Access Hospital
A small, rural hospital that provides limited inpatient and outpatient services to increase access to healthcare in remote areas, typically receiving special Medicare payments.
Subsection (d) hospital
A general acute care hospital that is paid under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system, which is the standard payment method for most hospitals.
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
SEP 17, 25
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4374-4375)
INTROREFERRAL
SEP 17, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
SEP 17, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
The section of federal law that established the Medicare program, which provides health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older, and for some younger people with disabilities.
