114th Congress
114th Congress: Summary of VNAA Legislative Priorities
(For detailed information on each legislative priority, click here.)
| Senate | House |
| Home Health Protect and Preserve Access to Home-Based Services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed to reduce home health payments by $350 million in FY16. This cut is in addition to sequestration and two years of payment reductions due to the rebasing of home health payment rates. We ask that all Members of Congress to tell CMS that a cut of this magnitude puts beneficiary access to care at risk and exceeds the statutory limits Congress placed on rebasing home health payment rates.Cosponsor the Home Health Documentation and Program Improvement Act of 2015 (S.1650) introduced by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Pat Roberts (R-KS). This bipartisan legislation provides common-sense improvements to currently unworkable and administratively burdensome rules regarding Medicare home health “face-to-face” documentation requirements.Cosponsor the Home Health Planning and Improvement Act (S. 578) introduced by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Charles Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would allow nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants, to order home health services under Medicare in accordance with state law. This legislation would improve access to important home health care services, and potentially prevent additional hospital and nursing home admissions. | Home Health Protect and Preserve Access to Home-Based Services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed to reduce home health payments by $350 million in FY16. This cut is in addition to sequestration and two years of payment reductions due to the rebasing of home health payment rates. We ask that all Members of Congress to tell CMS that a cut of this magnitude puts beneficiary access to care at risk and exceeds the statutory limits Congress placed on rebasing home health payment rates.Cosponsor Home Health Planning and Improvement Act (H.R. 1342) introduced by Representatives Greg Walden (R-OR), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Mike Kelly (RPA), Patrick Tiberi (R-OH), Todd Young (R-IN), Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Ron Kind (D-WI), Mike Thompson (DCA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Gregg Harper (R-MS), David McKinley (R-WV), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Lois Capps (D-CA), and Kurt Schrader (D-OR). This legislation would allow nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants, to order home health services under Medicare in accordance with state law. This legislation would improve access to important home health care services, and potentially prevent additional hospital and nursing home admissions. |
| Hospice Cosponsor the Care Planning Act of 2015 (S.1549) introduced by Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA). This legislation would establish Medicare reimbursement for healthcare professionals to provide a voluntary discussion about the goals and treatment options for individuals with serious illness, resulting in a documented care plan that reflects the informed choices made by patients in consultation with members of their health care team, faith leaders, family members and friends. This legislation also provides resources for public and professional education materials about care planning.Sponsor a Senate version of the Palliative Care & Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) This legislation would establish education centers and career incentive awards to improve the training of doctors, nurses, physician assistants, social workers and other health professionals in palliative care. This legislation (H.R. 3119) has been introduced in the House by Reps. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Tom Reed (R-NY) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-M0) in the House. | Hospice Cosponsor Palliative Care & Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) (H.R. 3119) introduced by Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY), Tom Reed (R-NY) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-M0). This legislation would establish education centers and career incentive awards to improve the training of doctors, nurses, physician assistants, social workers and other health professionals in palliative care. |