Senate Sets Roadblock on Jobs Bill: Impact is Felt for Doc Fix and Medicaid Funding

Yesterday the Senate, via  a procedural vote, set a roadblock on the continued track toward passage for the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act.  The original version, re-crafted by the House to lower the price tag and then sent to the Senate, found limited traction on Wednesday.  Oddly enough, the House version effectively trimmed … Read more

American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Update

Prior to the Memorial Day recess (holiday), the House passed its re-shaped version of the bill.  The re-shaping primarily involved spending constraints; reaction to wide-spread criticism (public) of current (and recent) Congressional deficit spending binges as well as a realization that fall elections draw ever closer.  Specifically, what the House did was: Abandoned any additional … Read more

American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act – HR 4213

Funny title that is rather misleading given the gravity of the health care/post-acute care provisions that are included in this bill.  As is the case in Washington, especially these days, important health care provisions not addressed in the PPACA are coming forward in other bills; particularly bills involving unemployment benefits and COBRA benefits, etc.  Such is … Read more

Part B Therapy Cuts Delayed to June 1

As a follow-up to a post from last week regarding pending cuts in Part B therapy rates, last evening the House passed a bill that the Senate had passed earlier in the day, included within is a provision to delay the pending cuts to the physician fee schedule until June 1.  The provision is tucked … Read more

Part B Therapy Rate Reductions Return

With Congress on recess, the temporary extension of the Part B therapy rate cuts ended on March 31.  As of today, with Congress still on “holiday”, the Part B therapy rate cuts remain in effect.  Best knowledge has it that Congress is working on another temporary extension that would retro to April 1 and last through April 30.  … Read more