6-04-10
Federal Legislative Issues Update - May 2010
Washington Highlights
Debate over the Medicare fee schedule and the 21.3% cut that went into effect—yet again—on June 1, 2010, is dominating the health care scene in Washington, and AOTA is very much a part of that process. Find more information below about the fee schedule, and also updates related to the Medicare therapy cap, education, and other areas where AOTA’s advocacy is the voice of occupational therapy.
Health Care Reform
As the regulatory and implementation process of health reform begins to take center stage, AOTA continues to work with Congress, as well as expanding advocacy and influence to federal agencies and regulatory bodies.
AOTA is continuing to work with Congress to ensure the victories achieved legislatively are not diminished in the implementation process. AOTA will provide detailed information about how the changes enacted in the law will be implemented over the next few months and several years. Stay tuned to the Legislative Action Center and the Reimbursement and Regulatory policy pages for regular updates.
Therapy Cap
The Medicare Part B outpatient therapy cap exceptions process is currently in place throughout the remainder of 2010.
AOTA continues to work toward full repeal of the therapy cap and will be working in coalition with other consumer and provider organizations to urge Congressional action before 2011.
It is likely that Congress will soon address a longer-term solution for the Medicare fee schedule cuts, and AOTA is working to ensure that Congress addresses the therapy cap well before the expiration of the current exceptions process on December 31, 2010.
Medicare Fee Schedule
After passing several short-term extensions to avoid the scheduled 21.3% cut to the Medicare provider fee schedule that was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2010, the cut was actually implemented on April 1, 2010. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held claims for 10 business days in April in anticipation of Congressional action, but then began to process claims at the reduced rate. The next day, Congress acted and passed an extension of the update to further delay implementation of the cut until June 1, 2010. Congress again failed to act, and CMS is once again holding claims for up to 10 days in anticipation of congressional action. The Senate cannot agree on a package that can gain the 60 votes needed to end debate and move to an actual floor vote. Another short-term extension is likely.
Congress is still working to identify a more long-term solution that is politically possible in this election year. AOTA is working to avoid this scheduled cut and to also make sure that a longer-term solution for the therapy cap is addressed as well.
FY 2011 Appropriations
AOTA submitted the Association’s recommendations for funding for programs and services important to occupational therapy practitioners and the clients we serve. AOTA commented broadly on areas such as education, health care, research, mental health, and veterans’ affairs. AOTA also provided specific recommendation for the funding of distinct programs and initiatives, such as research at the National Institutes of Health for rehabilitation research. Additionally, AOTA submitted a request through report language accompanying the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations bill for CMS to expand the role of occupational therapy for Medicare home health benefits. AOTA’s comments to the House Appropriations Committee are available under the Official Comments section of AOTA’s Web site.
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
As most of Congress has been fully engaged in health reform, the committees of jurisdiction related to education have begun actively working on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) during the last reauthorization as the No Child Left Behind Act. The Obama Administration released a Blueprint for reform that explains the Administrations policy and strategy for improving public education. AOTA is working in conjunction with our member leaders to educate Congress about the role and potential for occupational therapy in schools and submitted AOTA’s principles for ESEA reauthorization, which is available under the Official Statements section of AOTA’s Web site.
AOTA Capitol Hill Day
AOTA’s Capitol Hill Day is scheduled for Monday, September 20, 2010. Last year more than 320 AOTA members came to Washington to advocate for occupational therapy. This year we will be in the middle of a contentious mid-term election with many important issues facing Congress. The Medicare Therapy Cap, the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Medicare fee schedule changes, health reform implementation, development of final rules related to mental health parity, federal autism research and services legislation, rehabilitation research, supplemental Veterans’ Affairs and Department of Defense initiatives will all be issues before Congress with significant implications for occupational therapy.
Come join your colleagues to be a voice for your profession. Bring a colleague and share an empowering experience in the nation’s capital.
American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC)
Thanks to everyone who made AOTPAC’s fundraising at the Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida so successful. AOTPAC exceeded its goals for the second year in a row.
AOTPAC Night retained the unofficial but well deserved best party of conference moniker with another very successful and uniquely talented KaraOT Idol Competition.
While there were many great participants the podium was dominated by Eastern Michigan University entrants who took first and second prize. The Runner-up was the talented Amy Ansara and the winner was Janan Daniel—who has a recording quality voice. We can only hope that they both return next year and perform in Philadelphia.
In this election year, AOTPAC is being asked to be aggressively involved and your contributions for the year to date are being used to raise the voice of occupational therapy. If you have not yet donated for 2010, there is still plenty of time. Please go to the AOTPAC page to learn more and contribute today.
