Accomplishments

HCTAA - Making a Difference in Home Care

Legislative Agenda

HCTAA is actively involved in raising home care technology issues before Congess and health care audiences nationwide.   HCTAA’s activities has taken this effort to many fronts in Congress:

--Introduction of legislation in the House and Senate to expand telehomecare technology projects:

Fostering Independence Through Technology Act of 2007 (S.321):     Bipartisan legislation was introduced in the United States Senate which would take a significant step in expanding the use of technology by home health agencies.  This bill, which was introduced by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement pilot projects within the Medicare program where incentives are provided to home health agencies in order to use home monitoring and communications technologies.

Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2008 (S.1605):  Introduced by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 28 Senators, this legislation includes the home monitoring and communications technologies language of S.321.

Medicare Telehealth Enhancement Act of 2008 (H.R.6163):   Fourteen members of the House of Representatives have joined with Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), a member of the key House Ways and Means Committee, to sponsor this comprehensive proposal.  Through three specific provisions, the bill enhances the use of home health care technology in the delivery health care through the Medicare program.   These provisions:

1. Mandate that Medicare include telehealth services that a home health agency may furnish an individual;
2. Include remote patient management services for coverage for certain chronic health conditions; and,
3. Direct the creation of home monitoring and communications technologies pilot projects, similar to those found in S.321.

Health Care Access and Rural Equity Act of 2007 (H.R.2860):   Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) introduced this comprehensive legislation pertaining to rural health care.   Seventy-five members of the House have joined him in sponsoring this legislation.  This proposal includes the language of S.321 to implement pilot projects to promote the use of home monitoring and communications technologies by home health agencies.

--Senate and House FY2009 Appropriations

HCTAA worked with the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on the funding level for HHS’s Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT).    For Fiscal Year 2009, HCTAA requested $13,800,000 for OAT.  The FY 2008 funding level was $6,700,000

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved $8,000,000.  The House Appropriations Committee approved $7,100,000.  No further appropriations action will occur until March 6th, when the current funding bill expires, and the new President and Congress decide how to proceed on FY 2009 funding.

Iowa support for home care technology agenda:   Working with the Iowa Association for Home Care, HCTAA drafted and helped coordinate a letter to Senator Harkin supporting the OAT funding increase and the Home Care Technology Resource Center.  Over 45 Iowa home care entities signed this letter to Senator Harkin, the Appropriations Subcommittee chairman overseeing the funding for HHS and OAT. 

Communications and Outreach

HCTAA regularly informs the home care community about technology issues through its weekly update and monthly technology column in Caring magazine. Recently submitted articles include Technology Essential to Effective Home Care Administration & Patient Care, The Physician's Role in Home Care and Hospice, Pay-for-Performance Programs in Home Health Care, and Increasing Role of Telehomecare in Treating of Neurological Diseases. To subscribe to the weekly update, sign up online at www.hctaa.org.

Microsoft health care futurist, Bill Crounse, MD, spoke at a HCTAA sponsored plenary session at the annual National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) meeting.

Both Board and staff members take advantage of opportunities to speak to national audiences on telehealth and home and care technology.

Additionally, joining with other key health IT stakeholders, HCTAA contributed to a white paper entitled, A Road Map for Health IT in Long-term Care. The report, issued December 21, 2005, focused on private and public sector efforts promoting and implementing electronic health records and other information technologies in long-term care settings. HCTAA plans to participate in their 2006 meeting. Road Map stakeholders include: American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging; Center for Aging Services Technology; American College of Health Care Administrators; American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living; American Health Information Management Association; American Health Quality Association; American Medical Directors Association; American Society of Consultant Pharmacists; Center for Health Transformation; Home Care Technology Association of America; National Association for Geriatric Nursing Assistant; National Association for Home Care and Hospice; National Association for the Support of Long-Term Care; National PACE Association; and, Setting Priorities for Retirement Year.

Membership and Administration

Individual and organizational membership continues to grow as providers, home health agencies, technology vendors and others realize the value HCTAA brings to the field.

Through NAHC's support, HCTAA has grown from an idea to a fully articulated association capable of creating changes in reimbursement and funding for home health technology and bringing together important leaders in the industry, and serving a voice within Congress and the health care community at large. Please join with HCTAA as we support patients who choose to age in place.