Mental and Physical Health Care Comorbidities Act of 2025This bill establishes a demonstration program to test hospital innovations that support low-income or uninsured individuals with serious mental and physical health comorbidities and to identify appropriate payment reforms under Medicare and Medicaid.Participating hospitals must (1) have a proportionally high number of Medicare or Medicaid patients, and (2) develop a plan and related quality metrics for innovations to provide coordinated care and address social determinants of health for individuals with serious mental illness or emotional disturbance and physical comorbidities (e.g., chronic conditions).
Impact
If enacted, HB2590 would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to oversee a program that evaluates various treatment strategies aimed at individuals facing dual health challenges. Eligible hospitals participating in this initiative must agree to specific performance metrics and payment structures that align with the aims of the program. This could represent a significant shift in how integrated care models are applied within the Medicare system, focusing on personalizing treatment for vulnerable populations with complex health needs.
Summary
House Bill 2590, titled the 'Mental and Physical Health Care Comorbidities Act of 2025,' aims to establish a demonstration program under the Medicare program focused on addressing the needs of individuals with mental and physical health comorbidities. By promoting innovative collaborative treatment methods, the bill seeks to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes while potentially reducing costs associated with healthcare utilization. The program is designed to run from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2030, leveraging insights from eligible hospitals to foster best practices and evidence-based models in patient care.
Contention
The bill has not been without its points of contention; concerns exist regarding the balance of funding and resource allocation, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Some critics worry that while the intent of the bill is to improve care for those with comorbidities, the implementation might overlook the realities of healthcare disparities faced by different populations. There is also the challenge of ensuring that the innovative approaches documented by participating hospitals are not only effective but also equitable and accessible to all segments of the population.
Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2023 This bill temporarily establishes several programs to provide telehealth services for at-home testing, evaluations, and other health care. Specifically, the bill establishes a demonstration program to provide assistive telehealth consultations and home- and community-based care for certain Medicare beneficiaries through Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Covered services include certain at-home diagnostic tests, telehealth consultations, transportation services, and meal benefits. Beneficiaries must be (1) age 65 or older and eligible to enroll in a qualifying MA plan and to receive certain low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, or (2) dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The bill also establishes a grant program for state Medicaid programs to cover similar at-home tests and related telehealth consultations. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs must establish a pilot program to provide tests and related telehealth consultations free of charge to veterans.
Infant Protection and Baby Switching Prevention Act of 2023 This bill establishes additional requirements that certain hospitals must meet in order to participate in Medicare. Specifically, as a condition of Medicare participation, hospitals and critical access hospitals that provide neonatal or infant care must have appropriate security procedures to reduce the likelihood of infant patient abduction and baby switching. Noncompliant hospitals are subject to specified civil penalties. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for knowingly altering or destroying a newborn's hospital patient records for the purpose of causing the newborn to be misidentified.
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to the work geographic index for physician payments under the Medicare program, and to revise the phase-in of clinical laboratory test payment changes under such program.