H.R.3021 - Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3021, the "Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act," aims to eliminate the inpatient-only service list. This bill prevents the Secretary of Health and Human Services from denying outpatient hospital service designation based solely on the determination that the service can only be safely provided in an inpatient setting. The bill is introduced in the House of Representatives by Mrs. Spartz and referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to allow certain medical services currently restricted to inpatient settings to be offered in outpatient settings. This could lead to increased patient choice and potentially lower healthcare costs for some procedures. It may also shift the balance of power between hospitals and outpatient facilities.
Potential Benefits
- Increased patient choice regarding where to receive medical care.
- Potential reduction in healthcare costs due to the generally lower cost of outpatient services compared to inpatient services.
- Greater competition among healthcare providers, potentially leading to improved service quality.
- Reduced burden on hospitals, freeing up resources for more critical inpatient cases.
- Encourages innovation in outpatient care settings.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential compromise of patient safety if complex procedures are performed in less-equipped outpatient settings.
- Risk of increased healthcare costs if outpatient facilities bill excessively for services.
- Possible strain on outpatient facilities if they are not adequately prepared to handle a greater volume of patients and procedures.
- Could lead to a decrease in the quality of care if outpatient facilities are incentivized to cut corners to reduce costs.
- May disproportionately affect rural areas with limited access to outpatient facilities.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general principles of promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble of the US Constitution, by aiming to improve healthcare access and potentially reduce costs. However, the Constitution does not explicitly address healthcare regulations, leaving such matters largely to legislative discretion. The bill's focus on modifying existing statutes related to healthcare falls within the powers granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, which allows Congress to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).