How the government shutdown led to more elderly patients in Mass. hospitals

Massachusetts hospitals brought back dozens of patients to the emergency room Wednesday. Others lost care completely.

The government shutdown paused the hospital care at home initiative, which allows certain Medicare-certified hospitals to provide hospital-level care for patients at home. The program is typically renewed in government-funding bills, but was stalled Tuesday night.

Dr. Stephen Dorner, chief of clinical operations and medical affairs at Mass General Brigham, coordinates the health care network's home hospital program. He joins WBUR's All Things Considered to discuss.