HOPE Act Gains Support in House

The Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act, a bill designed to reduce health care costs by reimbursing prompt diagnosis and care planning for Alzheimer’s disease, gained bipartisan support in Congress, according to a press release.

The bill, HR 1559, is sponsored by US Representative Chris Smith (R- NJ) and has received support from 301 congress members from both the republican and democratic parties.  HR 1559 would amend Medicare law by adding additional benefits for disease care planning for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. 

“I am greatly encouraged that HOPE has earned the bipartisan support of 301 of my colleagues in the House,” Rep Smith said in a press release. “5.4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and countless more family members and loved ones suffer with them. It’s important for them to know that Congress stands with them…”

According to an analysis of the legislations by consulting firm Healthsperian, the bill would reduce federal spending by $692 million between 2017 and 2025. The firm also estimated that Medicare spending related to additional Alzheimer’s care planning would increase by $399 million; however, this additional care would result in $1.2 billion in overall savings by 2025.

The bill will provide coverage for care planning sessions for Medicare beneficiaries. During these sessions, patients, caregivers, and physicians confer to determine the best medical and non-medical treatments for the individual patient.

Cost savings would be achieved by reducing the amount of unnecessary costs incurred during trips to hospitals and emergency departments. Instead, providers will be encouraged to identify and enroll these patients into care planning  to prevent inefficient use of health resources. 

“Upon receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, patients and their families are frequently at a loss for how to effectively plan for the next stage of their lives,” Rep Smith said. “While Medicare currently covers a diagnostic evaluation for beneficiaries, the program then offers little support in terms of next steps. I believe it is vital that patients and caregivers have an individualized plan to cope, information on available resources and a path forward.” —David Costill