McMorris Rodgers: Legislation Helping Patients in Eastern Washington Signed Into Law

Press Release

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement after the President signed the bipartisan H.R. 4067, which provides for the extension of the enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2014, into law last week. It will help Eastern Washington patients receive care in critical access and small rural hospitals.

"I'm pleased Republicans and Democrats are working together to advocate for people in rural communities like ours, because unworkable government mandates shouldn't prevent patients from accessing outpatient therapeutic services. Now that bipartisan legislation guaranteeing access to care has been signed into law, patients across Eastern Washington will continue to have access to low-risk outpatient services. I'm proud to support this smart solution, which ensures patients continue to receive quality treatment without interruption."

Over 46 million Americans in rural communities depend on critical access and small rural hospitals, and this law will delay the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate regarding "direct supervision" of outpatient services for the rest of the year. This CMS policy would require a supervising physician be physically present in the department when Medicare beneficiaries receive these services. It delays the enforcement of this policy for critical access and small rural hospitals with fewer than 100 beds.

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