The National Rural Health Association applauds Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Thune (R-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS-2) and David Loebsack (D-IA-2) for their leadership in creating access to therapy services in rural America. Last night, their bill to prohibit enforcement for 2015 of the direct supervision requirement for outpatient therapy services by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) passed the House of Representatives. The President is expected to sign the bill soon.
This important legislation will go far in helping alleviate unnecessary red-tape for Critical Access Hospitals and other small rural hospitals while allowing these hospitals to continue to offer the high quality necessary care in their communities.
NRHA commends these rural health champions for their leadership and encourages President Obama to quickly sign this legislation.