Buchanan Applauds Signing of Bipartisan Funding Package, Codifying Key Health Care Reforms

"Funding Is Now in Place for Critical National Priorities That Strengthen Our Country and Serve the American People."

Law Enacts Two Buchanan Health Care Bills to Advance Patient-First Health Care

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, applauded the signing into law of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 7148) by President Trump, a bipartisan package that funds critical national priorities and enacts two Buchanan health care bills that expand access to care, improve outcomes and deliver greater certainty for patients and providers.

"Funding is now in place for critical national priorities that strengthen our country and serve the American people," said Buchanan. "That includes bolstering our national defense and improving access to health care, education and infrastructure."

"As Chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, I'm proud that two of my health care initiatives are now law. By expanding telehealth and extending the Hospital-at-Home program, we are improving access to care, delivering better outcomes and reducing unnecessary costs. I will continue working to advance commonsense, bipartisan solutions that protect taxpayer dollars and make government work better."

The two Buchanan proposals included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act are:

• Permanent Telehealth from Home Act (H.R. 1407): Extends Buchanan's Permanent Telehealth from Home reforms by removing outdated geographic restrictions and expanding originating sites under Medicare, ensuring continued access to telehealth services for seniors through December 31, 2027.
• Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (H.R. 4313): Extends the successful Hospital-at-Home program through September 30, 2030, allowing eligible patients to safely receive hospital-level care at home while improving outcomes and lowering costs.

The law also supports Buchanan's forward-looking health agenda by:

• Encouraging early detection and prevention, including expanded coverage pathways for innovative cancer and cognitive screening tools
• Supporting value-based and alternative payment models that reward high-quality, coordinated care
• Promoting the responsible use of wearable medical technologies to empower patients and improve clinical decision-making
• Continuing funding for community health centers and critical health services, particularly in rural and underserved areas
• Strengthening protections for patients while increasing accountability and transparency across the health care system

Buchanan has had four initiatives signed by President Bush, five by President Obama, 19 by President Biden and 24 by President Trump.

Beyond health care, the package funds core government operations, invests in national defense and infrastructure, supports law enforcement and servicemembers, and eliminates wasteful programs keeping spending below projected levels under the current continuing resolution.

In addition to being the Vice Chairman and most senior Republican on the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, Buchanan is also the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, which has broad jurisdiction over traditional Medicare, the Medicare prescription drug benefit program and Medicare Advantage.

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