Monday Briefing: Tom Price Confirmed as Secretary of HHS

In the wee hours of Friday morning, after an all night session, the Senate confirmed Rep. Tom Price M.D (R-GA) as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Several industry organizations like the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare and the American Health Care Association (AHCA)/ National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) are supportive, and even bullish, on opportunities for Price to potentially eliminate some burdensome regulations.

“His track record as a physician and member of Congress demonstrates his proven commitment to protecting America’s home health patients,” Colin Roskey, executive vice president of the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, said in a press release Friday. “HIs recognition of the value home healthcare adds to the larger health care continuum stands to improve patient care and reduce Medicare costs.”

Price, who has said home-based care should be incentivized, was also the sponsor of a bill last year that would put a one-year stop on the Pre-Claim Review Demonstration (PCRD). The Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) are supportive of these initiatives, as well.

“We look forward to the opportunity to work with Secretary Price. His health care expertise and emphasis on patient-centered care will help us build upon our ongoing efforts to provide quality long term and post-acute care to the elderly and individuals with disabilities,” AHCA/NCAL said in a press release Friday.

Last week, the industry also read about the other potential impacts the Trump presidency could have on home health regulations as well as how Michigan State University is aiming to improve the caregiver shortage in home care.