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Ways and Means Advances Bipartisan Medicare Reforms to Improve Hospitals, Better Serve Patients

May 24, 2016

Today, the House Ways and Means Committee voted to pass the Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act (HIP-C). Introduced by Health Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA), the bipartisan legislation advances several bipartisan member priorities that will help medical providers better treat patients in their communities. 

As Chairman Brady said at today’s markup:

“The Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act will promote greater access, increase choices, and improve the quality of health care …

“I thank Chairman Tiberi and Ranking Member McDermott for crafting a bill that will empower health care plans and providers to deliver the high quality, affordable care patients deserve.”

HIP-C incorporates ideas from Speaker Ryan and Reps. Jim Renacci (R-OH), Charles Boustany (R-LA), Diane Black (R-TN), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Ron Kind (D-WI), Jim McDermott (D-WA), and Pat Meehan (R-PA). Specifically, the legislation will:

  • Maintain fiscally responsible payment policies enacted in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015; 
  • Provide relief for hospitals that were in the process of building off-campus outpatient centers when the new policies were enacted;
  • Prevent hospitals serving low-income communities from being unfairly penalized in the Readmission Reduction Program;
  • Increase access to care in rural communities;
  • Protect access to quality health care choices for seniors; and
  • Support physicians who treat patients in ambulatory surgical centers.

Noting that this is the first markup of Medicare legislation since he became Health Subcommittee chairman, Rep. Tiberi added:

“H.R. 5273—The Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act or ‘HIP-C’ provides some necessary regulatory relief to providers and makes it easier for beneficiaries to enroll in Medicare.

“As Members of Congress we talk a lot about removing paperwork burdens and allowing providers to concentrate on what matters most– delivering patient care. Today’s bill puts our money where our mouths are …

“I look forward to continuing to work in this Committee and in my subcommittee on additional bills to improve Medicare and advance Member priorities that will strengthen the program.”

For more information about HIP-C, click here.
For a summary of the bill, click here.
For a section-by-section summary of the bill, click here.
For the full bill text, click here.