OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Bipartisan Legislation to Preserve Rural Access to Therapy Services Heads to President for Signature

Press Release

Date: Dec. 9, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) issued the following statements after the U.S. House of Representatives passed their legislation (S. 1461) that would extend through calendar year 2015 a prohibition preventing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from enforcing direct supervision policy for outpatient therapeutic services, a harmful regulation that would jeopardize access to therapy services in rural areas:

"Getting this important legislation to the president's desk is a big win for rural states like South Dakota that require greater flexibility in order to maintain their ability to deliver the quality outpatient therapy services that patients deserve," said Thune. "While it may seem inconsequential to some, extending this prohibition is important as we continue to work toward a more permanent solution that eliminates the barriers that would prevent seniors from having access to therapy services in their communities."

"Making certain Kansans have access to quality health care remains one of my top priorities in Congress," said Moran. "Rural hospitals find the federal government's direct supervision requirements impossible to meet, so I'm pleased this legislation will soon become law to help preserve patients' access to important therapy services in Kansas and across the country. This measure will also enable us to continue to advocate for passage of the Protecting Access to Rural Therapy Services Act -- the PARTS Act -- bipartisan legislation I introduced to permanently address this outpatient therapy supervision issue."

"Folks in rural America shouldn't have to travel long distances to access quality health care," said Tester. "I urge the president to sign this bill quickly so we can begin to reduce red tape and strengthen Critical Access Hospitals so they can continue to provide folks in rural areas with important health care services."Unknown


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