Action Alert: Tell Congress to vote YES on HR 1868 — New legislation introduced!

On Tuesday March 16th, the House of Representatives will be voting on whether to delay the return of 2% Medicare sequestration until January 1, 2022 and waive PAYGO requirements (triggered by the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act) that would further impact Medicare reimbursement. If HR 1868 doesn’t pass, Medicare payment for PT and OT will be reduced -5.6% effective April 1, 2021. Please take action today…it takes just a few minutes!

As a reminder, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers passed the CARES Act (March 27, 2020) which paused the 2% Medicare sequestration reduction until December 31, 2020.  Congress again delayed reinstating the Medicare sequester through April 1, 2021, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 which was enacted on December 27, 2020.  On March 11, 2021, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced new legislation aimed at stopping automatic spending cuts to Medicare and other programs (HR 1868). On Tuesday March 16th, the House of Representatives will be voting on HR 1868, deciding whether or not to delay the return of 2% Medicare sequestration until January 1, 2022 and waive PAYGO requirements (triggered by the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act) that would further impact Medicare reimbursement.  There is no Senate vote scheduled yet.

The stand-alone House bill HR 315 only addresses the sequestration issue.

Without Congressional intervention, the additional 2% cut will go into effect on April 1, 2021! 

So what do we tell Congress?

  • My practice is still reeling from the joint economic impact of COVID-19 and cuts to Medicare reimbursement.
  • PT and OT Medicare reimbursement was cut by -3.6% on January 1, 2021.
  • Please vote YES on HR 1868 in order to delay return of 2% Medicare sequestration until January 1, 2022 and waive PAYGO requirements triggered by the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act.
  • If HR 1868 isn’t enacted:
    • On April 1, 2021, Medicare payment for PT and OT will be reduced to -5.6% when compared to April 2020.
    • PAYGO requirements will result in additional cuts to Medicare that we cannot afford.
    • These cuts may be more than my practice can absorb — I may not be able to afford to keep my clinic doors open.

Take action now by clicking here to go to the PTPN Political Action website and telling your Representatives to support this bill in the House and to introduce one in the Senate.

Together we can make a difference!

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