Today, Health Subcommittee Chairman Vern Buchanan (FL-16) delivered the following opening statement during a Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing on post-acute care.

As prepared for delivery.

“Good afternoon. Thank you to the witnesses for being here today to discuss a crucial issue before us: Ensuring access to quality post-acute care services for seniors on Medicare.

“Millions of Americans rely on post-acute care to recover from serious illnesses, surgeries, and injuries.

“In fact, 40 percent of Medicare beneficiaries who are hospitalized use post-acute care services following their hospital stays.

“Quality post-acute care can often result in better patient outcomes.

“For example, patients discharged to a nursing home have lower rates of death and lower rates of hospital readmissions than those receiving care in a less specialized setting.

“58 percent of home health patients report improvements in their ability to engage in daily living activities.

“Long-term care hospitals offer specialized care for some of the sickest patients. And inpatient rehab facilities can help patients recover from debilitating injuries.

“Some of these providers are even leveraging innovations like telehealth to allow post-acute care patients to receive quality care safely at home.

“Just two weeks ago, Congresswoman Carol Miller introduced the bipartisan Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act.

“This important legislation would allow hospice providers to use telehealth to recertify their hospice stay from the comfort of their home and I look forward to seeing this flexibility continue.

“We must focus on ensuring that patients receive the right care at the right place, at the right time.

“Our Medicare program has changed over the past decade and we are here today to make sure that patients have sufficient access to care. 

“At the same time, we must conduct oversight to make sure these services are delivered appropriately and in a fiscally sustainable manner.

“For example, the Hospice Special Focus Program, while well-intended, was implemented by the Biden Administration in a way that could unfairly target good hospices, and let some bad actors continue to flourish.

“Thankfully, the Trump Administration took a great step by suspending this implementation.

“I commend Representatives Panetta and Van Duyne for working together to ensure this program operates as intended to conduct needed oversight on hospice providers.

“Strengthening our post-acute care system is critical to improving outcomes and reducing health costs.

“I look forward to hearing from the witnesses today to discuss the importance of post-acute care.”