Legislation to Avoid Medicare Cuts and Caps Moves
Forward
ALEXANDRIA, VA, June 24, 2008 — The American Physical Therapy
Association (APTA) today hailed passage of the Medicare Improvements for
Patients and Providers Act (HR 6331) by the US House of Representatives
as a significant step forward for seniors and persons with disabilities
and encouraged the US Senate to quickly follow suit.
HR 6331 includes provisions for physical therapists and their
patients, including legislation to avoid the pending 10.6 percent cut in
payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule as well as the
expiration of the therapy cap exceptions process on July 1. The House
passed this legislation by a 355-59 vote. The legislation will now go to
the US Senate for consideration.
"We applaud the House for taking the right steps forward to protect
the millions of Medicare patients receiving needed physical therapist
services," said APTA President R Scott Ward PT, PhD. "We now urge the US
Senate to take action to address the therapy caps issue and prevent
serious cuts that could jeopardize beneficiaries' access to care."
Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and
manage individuals of all ages, from newborns to elders, who have
medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their
abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily
lives. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan of
care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce
pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists also
work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing
fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active
lifestyles.
APTA (www.apta.org) is a national organization representing physical
therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its
goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education,
practice, and research. Consumers can visit www.findapt.us to find
a physical therapist in their area, as well as www.apta.org/consumer for physical therapy news and
information.