Essential legislation to maintain innovative hospital at home programs in Texas is advancing through the Texas Legislature. House Bill 1890, by Rep. Jacey Jetton, was reported favorably the House Public Health Committee on March 27.

Two large public teaching hospitals in Dallas and San Antonio operate hospital at home programs and were among early innovators. Another in Houston is in pre-implementation development phase. More than 270 hospitals in 37 states have received permission from CMS to provide home-based acute medical care.

Hospital at Home programs are a highly effective alternative to hospitalization at a brick-and-mortar hospital for patients qualifying for inpatient treatment and provide additional inpatient capacity and alleviate emergency department crowding while elevating care quality and outcomes.

HB 1890, supported by THOT, is needed to provide state authority to continue hospital at home programs, originally made possible by a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services waiver in November 2020. While the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2023 extended federal authority for the programs until Dec. 31, 2024, state legislation is also needed.