S.1935 - Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1935, the "Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act," aims to amend Title XI of the Social Security Act. The amendment would facilitate the testing of a community-based palliative care model. This model is intended to improve care outcomes and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations for high-risk beneficiaries.
Expected Effects
The bill would lead to the implementation of a community-based palliative care model under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMI). This model would provide care coordination for individuals with serious illnesses. It emphasizes a team-based approach, incorporating palliative care with primary and specialist care.
Potential Benefits
- Improved care coordination for individuals with serious illnesses.
- Reduced unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
- Enhanced access to palliative care services in community settings.
- Increased support for families and caregivers.
- Better patient experience through comprehensive symptom management and advance care planning.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased healthcare costs if the model is not managed efficiently.
- Risk of uneven access to palliative care services in rural or underserved areas despite the bill's intention to address this.
- Possible administrative challenges in coordinating care across different providers and settings.
- Difficulty in accurately identifying and enrolling the target population.
- The model's success depends on the effectiveness of the multi-disciplinary palliative care teams.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it seeks to improve healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable populations. Specifically, it aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses by providing community-based palliative care. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but healthcare falls under the purview of federal programs like Social Security and Medicare, justifying federal action in this area.
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).