Federal Legislative Issues Update - May 2006
May 2006
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Washington Update
AOTA staff members have been active in May since Congress designated the first week of May to be Health Week. The congressional schedule has a number of initiatives scheduled prior to their Memorial Day recess, including lobby reform legislation, telecommunications legislation, and budget and appropriations debates.
Members of Congress are scheduled for their Memorial Day recess starting May 29 for one week. Congressional Republicans continue to have trouble getting a budget passed in the House, and it appears that the Appropriations Committees will begin markups without a budget resolution. House Republicans are still working to get a compromise between the moderates and conservatives on a spending level for the FY2007 budget resolution. Stay tuned to the Legislative Action Center for additional news on Congress as it is made available.
Therapy Cap Survey Launched on AOTA Web site
AOTA recently launched a survey for Medicare Part B outpatient therapy providers to take on the implementation of the cap exceptions process. The data obtained will enable AOTA staff to pursue a long-term solution to the cap.
AOTA members are encouraged to contact their elected representatives to ask for their support for The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2005 (H.R. 916/S. 438). The House sponsors recently sent a letter for signatures to support extending the cap exceptions process for 2007 while Congress, AOTA, and others help to craft a long-term solution to the problem. Go to the Legislative Action Center to contact your representatives and ask them to sign on to this letter and to cosponsor the repeal legislation ( http://capwiz.com/aota/issues/alert/?alertid=8460616&type=CO).
Home Health Qualifying Service
Federal Affairs staff is currently focusing on legislative visits supporting the Medicare Occupational Therapy Coverage Eligibility Act (H.R. 3022) that would make occupational therapy a qualifying service for Medicare home health benefits. The bill introduced by Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) recently obtained the support of Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and the two Representatives circulated a Dear Colleague Letter to all Members of the House of Representatives asking them to cosponsor the legislation.
AOTA is still looking for a Senate sponsor of the bill in order to begin building support for passage in the Senate as well as the House. More information is available on the AOTA Legislative Action Center located at: http://capwiz.com/aota/issues/alert/?alertid=8747506&type=CO
Health Insurance Reform Defeated in Senate
Health insurance reform legislation, called the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act (S. 1955), was defeated in the Senate on May 11. The purpose was to establish alternatives for offering health insurance by circumventing certain state requirements. The intent was to reduce costs and improve access in the health insurance marketplace, principally though not exclusively in the small group market. However, the bill would allow insurers to offer plans that were exempt from state-mandated benefit laws. AOTA is opposed to the legislation in its current form. The bill is most likely not going to be addressed again this year.
Mental Health Research Advocacy
Members of the National Advisory Mental Health Council that helps guide the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) under the National Institutes of Health met recently to discuss the research agenda for their Institute. The meeting was attended by Federal Affairs staff, who spoke during the public comment period and read AOTA's newly approved statement related to occupational therapy as a mental health profession. The comments were well received by Dr. Thomas Insel, the director of NIMH, and he appreciated AOTA's attendance and support. During the meeting, Dr. Story Landis, the director of the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, addressed the group and discussed areas of related interest between the two institutes. While she was speaking, one of the council members asked how the two institutes could collaborate to improve research and direct access to services such as occupational therapy for people with neurological and psychiatric disorders. General discussion ensued and the directors talked about the importance of services that translate to improved quality of life and promote recovery. AOTA was also added to a list of national organizations that partner with NIMH related to improving mental health care and education.
Budget and Appropriations Update
Early Thursday, May 18, the House Voted 218-210 to approve the $2.8 trillion FY2007 budget resolution after Republican leaders promised GOP moderates to include an additional $3.1 billion in funds for health, labor, and education programs. Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) said the additional funds would not result in spending reductions for Medicare or Medicaid. The House budget resolution also excludes proposals by Bush to reduce spending for Medicare, Medicaid, and other entitlement spending.
The Senate added $7 billion into its budget resolution for health and education programs earlier in the budget season. The two versions of the budget resolution must now go to conference where the differences will be hammered out. The additional funds added into each budget resolution would help to restore funding to Title VII Programs of the Public Health Service. These programs include training funds for Geriatric Education Centers, workforce research, and scholarship funds for allied health professions for underserved and minority populations.
Go to the Legislative Action Center to contact your representatives and urge their support for restored funding to Title VII programs in the FY2007 budget resolution.
Rehabilitation Research
AOTA has revitalized its emphasis on rehabilitation research through independent and coalition efforts designed to raise funding and the profile of rehabilitation research within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Following up on a meeting of Carolyn Baum, AOTA President, and Christina Metzler, AOTA Chief Public Affairs Officer, with the Directors of the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR), Federal Affairs staff participated in the National Rehabilitation Research Advisory Council meeting. At the meeting, a spokesperson for the NCMRR Coalition, to which AOTA belongs, gave a presentation about the coalition's thoughts on improving rehabilitation research. AOTA staff also discussed occupational therapy research with advisory council members that resulted in discussion of grants made to occupational therapy NIH investigators. AOTA will continue to work with the leadership of the NIH and other stakeholders to promote research beneficial to occupational therapy and our patients.
Medicaid
As a result of the Deficit Reduction Act, states have the opportunity to provide more limited benefit packages for various populations, including children. The plans are benchmarked against other insurance plans within the state that provide coverage to similar populations to help insure some minimum coverage standards, but significant reductions are expected. Consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns about continued access to Early Periodic, Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) services, but the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in a letter to State Medicaid Directors, confirmed that EPSDT services remain mandated and that children in the new "benchmarked" plans must receive the "full EPSDT benefit."
AOTA is satisfied with this decision but does acknowledge that changes in benefit packages may affect knowledge and access to EPSDT services by moving the mandated service from Medicaid to the new plans. In order to ensure continued access and utilization of EPSDT services, it is essential for direct service providers to educate clients and beneficiaries about their continued coverage under the EPSDT program. Federal Affairs staff will continue to monitor this issue and advocate for continued access to EPSDT services that are so important to children and families.
AOTA Staff Attends Geriatric Health Professions Programs Meetings
On May 16, AOTA staff attended a coalition meeting on Geriatric Health Professions Programs. Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is authorized to provide funds to these programs, but they were zeroed out in the FY2006 Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill. AOTA is working with other provider groups to help restore funding to these programs, which include training funds that go to Geriatric Education Centers. Continue to watch the Legislative Action Center for updates.
AOTPAC
The Board of Directors of the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) held its annual meeting on Wednesday, April 26, in Charlotte, NC, prior to the start of the AOTA Annual Conference & Expo. At the meeting they set goals and plans for fund-raising, communication, and education; conducted routine business; and approved additional candidates for support. Before the start of conference, they spoke with leadership groups of the association, including the Representative Assembly, state association presidents, OT and OTA program directors, and the Assembly of Student Delegates. They raised funds from these groups, challenging each member to participate as leaders of the profession. During the annual conference, board members hosted a booth where they raised funds and educated members about legislative and political involvement. They also held a special fund-raising party on Saturday night of the conference, where participants enjoyed dancing, listening to music, and competing in simulated racing. Funds raised from the conference activities amounted to more than $28,000-a record high. Thanks to each and every member who contributed to make this happen.
The annual telemarketing appeal will begin shortly and all members will receive a letter and/or phone call. Members are encouraged to be generous and support their AOTPAC.
Do you have a grassroots advocacy story to tell? Do you know or have a connection to your Senators or Representatives? Contact AOTA's Federal Affairs Department and share your experience! E-mail: fad@aota.org, Mail: PO Box 31220, Bethesda, MD20824-1220 , Telephone: 800-729-2682, or Fax: 301-652-7711.
Last Update: 5/16/06