The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, passed by Congress and signed by the President on February 9, 2018, extends and modifies dozens of health care programs, including the “Independence at Home” program, an effort led by Powers Principal Peggy Tighe.
The bill extended the Independence at Home Medical Practice Demonstration Program for two additional years and increased the cap on participating beneficiaries from 10,000 to 15,000.
Powers Principal Peggy Tighe has worked to advance the IAH program on behalf of the American Academy of Home Care Medicine, engaging with dozens of allies and over 100 supporters. The program provides a home-based primary care benefit to high-need Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions, allowing them to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, ER visits, and nursing home use.
This is the second extension of the IAH since its inception in 2013. Powers Senior Counsel Jim Pyles and Peggy Tighe also worked to advance the “Medicare Independence at Home Extension Medical Practice Demonstration Improvement Act of 2015,” which served as the first extension of the program.
Powers co-founder Jim Pyles has been actively engaged in chronic care issues and the independence at home movement for the last several decades and was a principal author of the original Independence at Home demonstration legislation. Jim is nationally known for his expertise in chronic care coordination, home health, hospice, and ambulatory care services.
Peggy Tighe works with the Powers Healthcare and the Government Relations and Public Policy teams. She has more than 25 years of experience working with physicians, hospitals and patient groups through her work at the American Medical Association and dozens of national coalitions and organizations.
Peggy focuses her practice on lobbying, coalition building, crafting and implementing grass roots campaigns and coordinating media relations. Her extensive government relations and advocacy experience is invaluable to clients who need in-depth insight and hands-on work with Congress, especially those seeking to advance legislation to passage and through regulatory implementation.
To read the full text of the bill, click here. For more information on Independence at Home, see www.IAHNOW.org or contact Peggy Tighe at 202-872-6752 or Peggy.Tighe@PowersLaw.com.