Entitlement spending is driving America's explosion of debt. In the next several years, Medicare threatens to serve as the primary problem facing those looking to cut into federal spending. Any solution that brings federal spending under control has to also address Medicare. Tomorrow morning, Representative David McKinley (WV-1) will take part in a panel discussion that will propose some relief.
Medicare spending, as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product, will more than double between 2010 and 2050. And that prediction from the Heritage Foundation assumes that federal spending does not cause a contraction in GDP. The Alliance For Home Health Quality and Innovation, who is putting together the panel discussion, will propose how care in the home can lead to Medicare savings.
According to Medicare.gov, home health care currently covers a wide range of services. These are listed below:
Home Health Care Services Covered By Medicare
Medicare, however, does only cover services for patients considered "homebound."
The AHHQI, in a report last April based on case examples, claimed that thousands of dollars per patient could be saved by increasing home health care.
Homebound patients are not inexpensive, however. According to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, patients at home suffering from chronic conditions represent almost 50 percent of health care costs. The NAHC calls for improved technology and techniques which could "make greater use of technology
that cuts costs and improves the quality of care." They go on to say that "there is
proof that home-based telehealth, for instance, promotes more
efficient use of nursing and other professional resources.
It also helps patients, aided by family members, to self-manage
their care and produces digital records that can be audited
to reduce the incidence of fraud."
The panel discussion will take place at 9 AM, Wednesday October 10.
To see a webcast, click here
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