S.1936 - Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1936, the "Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2025," directs the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMI) to test a model where blood transfusions for hospice patients are paid separately from the standard Medicare hospice per diem. This model aims to assess the impact of separate payments on the quality and cost-effectiveness of care. The bill requires CMI to evaluate the model's effects on various metrics, including chemotherapy service utilization, hospital utilization, length of hospice care, and transfusion frequency.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would lead to a pilot program testing a new payment model for blood transfusions in hospice care. This could potentially increase access to necessary transfusions for hospice patients. The CMI's evaluation will determine whether this new payment model improves patient outcomes and reduces unnecessary healthcare utilization.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to blood transfusions for hospice patients who may benefit from them.
- Improved quality of life for some hospice patients through better symptom management.
- Potential for more appropriate utilization of healthcare resources in end-of-life care.
- Data-driven insights into the cost-effectiveness of separate payments for blood transfusions in hospice settings.
- Better understanding of the impact of transfusion access on end-of-life care decisions.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased healthcare costs if the separate payment model leads to overuse of transfusions.
- Administrative burden associated with implementing and evaluating the new payment model.
- Risk that the model may not be effective in improving patient outcomes or reducing costs.
- Possible disparities in access to transfusions based on geographic location or other factors.
- Complexity in comparing outcomes between patients in the model and those receiving standard hospice care.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to healthcare and Medicare. The specific authority to establish and modify Medicare payment models falls under Congress's enumerated powers related to spending and providing for the general welfare. No specific constitutional conflicts are apparent.
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).