Yesterday, U.S. Senator Thomas Carper & DPTA Federal Affairs Liaison, Dr. Philip Allen met at the ATI Clinic in Millsboro; among the topics discussed were the APTA/DPTA Public Policy Priorities including assuring patient choice and improving their access to care.… Read full post
Government Affairs
UPDATE: Therapy Cap Repeal
Last night the U.S. House of Representatives released legislative language on Medicare extenders that are currently included in the continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government beyond the current February 8, 2018 expiration date. The good news is language to permanently repeal the hard therapy caps is included in the House bill. It would address this issue once and … Read full post
VA Wants to Move Telehealth Beyond State Borders and Into Vets’ Homes
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would like to remove barriers to telehealth and allow its providers—including physical therapists (PTs)—to conduct telehealth activities across all 50 states and in non-federal sites, including patients’ and providers’ homes.
In a proposed rule, the VA describes how its current telehealth program is limited by many state professional licensure laws and regulations, … Read full post
Making the Profession’s Voice Heard on Home Health: Multifaceted Advocacy Efforts Deliver Strong Message to CMS
While the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) considers what to do with a proposed rule that APTA says creates “perverse financial incentives” for reductions in care in home health (HH), APTA and its members can be satisfied that the association, its components, and individual members mounted a strong, multifaceted education and advocacy effort that is likely to … Read full post
APTA to Senate: House Version of AHCA Would Reduce Access to Care
With the US Senate considering action on health care, APTA is making it clear that at least 1 of the options available—the adoption of the American Health Care Act passed by the US House of Representatives—falls short of providing “adequate, affordable, and quality health care services for all Americans.”
In a May 22 letter to Senators, APTA President Sharon Dunn, … Read full post
Welcome Back: Therapy Cap Repeal Is Reintroduced in Congress
After falling short by the narrowest of margins in 2015, an APTA-supported bill to end the Medicare therapy cap has been reintroduced in both houses of Congress. And now it’s time for the physical therapy community to make its voice heard.
The bill, named the Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act (HR 807, S 253) would repeal the therapy cap … Read full post
Senate Committee Hearing on Stark Law Touches on Self-Referral Loophole for Physical Therapy, Other Services
Though there are plenty of political distractions out there, some members of the Senate have not forgotten about problems with the so-called “Stark law” intended to counter abuses of physician self-referral. At a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee this week, legislators talked about how certain provisions of the law, including exceptions that allow for self-referral to physical therapy, may … Read full post
Bill That Adds Protections for PTs Traveling With Sports Teams Moves in House
A bipartisan bill that helps to protect physical therapists (PTs) and other health care providers who travel across state lines with sports teams is on its way to the floor of the US House of Representatives.
The Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act (HR 921/S 689) aims to provide added legal protections for sports medicine professionals when they’re traveling with professional, … Read full post