APTA is currently advocating to and tracking in The 115th Congress numerous bills that would advance the profession of physical therapy and provide better access to care. Below is the legislation we are currently advocating to this Congress:

 Medicare Telehealth Parity Act (H.R. 2550) · Legislation would expand the health care providers who are eligible to provide telehealth services to include: physical therapists, certified diabetes educators, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and audiologists. · Bill was introduced by Reps Mike Thompson (D-CA), Gregg Harper (R-MS), Diane Black (R-TN), and Peter Welch (D-VT). · Bill was referred to the E&C and Ways and Means committees. · As of February 13, 2018, H.R. 2550 had 23 cosponsors. · APTA will continue to work with the sponsors of this legislation and the CONNECT for Health Act (H.R. 2556, S. 1016) to come up with a bill that is more inclusive to physical therapists and more feasible in terms of cost and, therefore, more likely to see progress in the next Congress.

 CONNECT for Health Act (H.R. 2556/S. 1016) · Legislation which expand the use of telehealth services under the Medicare program. Specifically, it would allow PTs to furnish telehealth services to individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans (MA plans) and those PTs involved in alternative payment models. · H.R. 2556 was introduced by Reps Diane Black (R-TN), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Gregg Harper (R-MS), Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Doris Matsui and S. 1016 was introduced by Sens Brian Schatz (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Thune (R-SD) and Mark Warner (D-VA) · As of February 13, 2018, H.R. 2556 had 24 cosponsors and S. 1016 had 19 cosponsors. · APTA will continue to work with members of Congress to advance this legislation.

 Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act (H.R. 1639/S. 619) · Legislation would authorize physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. This legislation would provide greater access to physical therapist services in rural and underserved areas and help meeting the growing demand for physical therapists in the future. · Bill was introduced by Reps John Shimkus (R-IL) and Diane DeGette (D-CO), and Sens Jon Tester (D-MT) and Roger Wicker (R-MS). · Bill was referred to the E&C Subcommittee on Health, and to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. · As of February 13, 2018, H.R. 1639 had 46 cosponsors and S. 619 had 2 cosponsors

 Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act (H.R. 302/S. 808) · Legislation would provide certain legal clarifications and protections for physical therapists, physicians and athletic trainers as they travel across state lines with professional, collegiate, high school and nationally governed sports teams. · Bill was introduced by Reps Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Cedric Richmond (D-LA) and Sens John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). · The bill passed the House in early January 2017 and was introduced at the beginning of April in the Senate. · Bill was referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. · As of February 13, 2018, S. 808 had 22 cosponsors.

 Lymphedema Treatment Act (H.R. 930/S. 497) · Legislation would ensure the provision of improved Medicare coverage for compression supplies, including compression garments, bandaging systems, and other devices necessary for lymphedema treatment. Currently, Medicare beneficiaries lack this coverage. · Bill was introduced by Reps David Reichert (R-WA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), and Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), and Sens Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) · On Wednesday, June 8, 2016, Rep Reichert delivered testimony on the importance of H.R. 1608 (bill in last Congress) during a House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing. · As of February 13, 2018, H.R. 930 had 309 cosponsors, and S. 497 had 53 cosponsors.

 Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (H.R. 2066) · Legislation would eliminate physical therapy and other services from the in-office ancillary services (IOAS) exception under the Stark laws. · Bill was introduced by Rep Jackie Speier (D-CA). · Bill was referred to the E&C and Ways and Means. Ideally, this legislation will move with a larger piece of legislation that needs monetary offsets. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that this change could save over $3 billion. · H.R. 2066 was introduced on April 6, 2017. As of February 13, 2018, it has 2 cosponsors. · We have concerns about the viability of this legislation is. However, APTA will continue to advocate on its behalf, as we understand how important it is to many members and the patients they serve.

 Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act (H.R. 750) · Legislation would establish a separate benefit category under the Medicare Part B program for complex rehabilitation technology. · Bill was introduced by Reps Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY). · Bill was referred to E&C and W&M committees. · As of February 13, 2018, H.R. 750 had 98 cosponsors. Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act (H.R. 1421/S. 568) · Legislation would require all days spent in a hospital, whether inpatient or on “observation status” toward the three-day requirement to qualify for Medicare coverage of a skilled nursing facility (SNF) stay after being discharged from the hospital. · Bill was introduced by Reps Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and by Sens Sherrod Brown (DOH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). · Bill was referred to House E&C and Ways and Means Committees and Senate Finance. · As of February 13, 2018, H.R. 1421 had 79 cosponsors and S. 568 had 21 cosponsors.

 Save Rural Hospitals Act (H.R. 2957) · Legislation will stabilize rural hospitals by providing regulatory relief, stopping Medicare cuts that are causing closures, and create innovative delivery models that will ensure emergency access to care for rural patients. · Bill was introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO). · Bill was referred to E&C and W&M committees. · As of February 13, 2018, H.R. 2957 had 20 cosponsors.

Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2017 (H.R.4133) · Legislation would provide physical therapists with the ability to privately contract with Medicare beneficiaries. · Bill was introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX). · Bill was referred to E&C and W&M committees. · As of February 13, 2018, H.R. 4133 had 3 cosponsors.

 Feel free to contact Jennica Sims, at jennicasims@apta.org or 703/706-3194, with any questions pertaining to the aforementioned legislation.