Good News on Therapy Caps and Medicaid
The Senate passed a tax and unemployment compensation bill that includes three provisions that address our advocacy priorities. The measure would extend increased federal Medicaid funding through June 30, 2011. The increased federal Medicaid match, originally scheduled to end Dec. 31, would help to prevent any more draconian Medicaid cuts next year. The bill would extend the Medicare therapy caps exceptions process through Dec. 31. It also would prevent a 21 percent cut in the 2010 update for the physician fee schedule to which nursing homes' Part B therapy rates are tied. The differences between the Senate bill and the measure originally passed by the House still must be resolved, but AAHSA is optimistic that the congressional leadership will expedite this process. Thanks to all of you who communicated with your legislators on these issues. It was key to the success. This was one of the issues that Aging Services of Georgia members, along with AAHSA members throughout the US, sent requests to Congress to pass.