Tag: legislation

Legislation Aims to Remove Home Health Therapy Barriers

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would enable occupational therapists to open Medicaid home health cases.

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers have reintroduced legislation in the House and Senate that would enable occupational therapists to open Medicare home health cases, making home health therapy services more accessible.

The two identical bills, H.R. 3127 in the House and S.1725 in the Senate, more commonly known as the Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2019, aim to change the current Medicare rules, which allows nurses, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists to establish eligibility for home health services, but not occupational therapists. The legislation is being hailed as an attempt by lawmakers to reduce delays in care, as well as to make it easier for older adults to access home health care.

“It’s commonsense that the earlier seniors can start needed therapies, the sooner treatments can start having a positive effect,” Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee and Sponsor of the bill, said in a statement. “Home health services are a critical part of our health care system, and I am proud to partner with Senator [Todd] Young on this legislation that will help to streamline the process for initiating Medicare home health therapy services for Maryland seniors and others nationwide who need home care while recovering from injury or illness.”

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Maine Death with Dignity Act Becomes Law

Maine’s Governor signed a bill into law on Wednesday to allow some terminally ill patients to pursue medically assisted suicide.

Maine’s Governor, Janet Mills, signed a bill, known as the Death with Dignity Act, into law on Wednesday to allow some terminally ill patients to pursue medically assisted suicide. The law establishes legal and medical procedures to allow adult patients with a terminal illness and a short time to live to make the informed decision to be prescribed medication to end their life. The procedures the law puts in place include, among others, two waiting periods, one written and two oral requests, a second opinion by a consulting physician, and a psychological evaluation.

“It is my hope that this law, while respecting the right to personal liberty, will be used sparingly; that we will respect the life of every citizen, with the utmost concern for their spiritual and physical well-being, and that as a society we will be as vigorous in providing full comfort, hospice and palliative care to all persons, no matter their status, location or financial ability as we are in respecting their right to make this ultimate decision over their own fate and of their own free will,” Governor Mills said prior to signing the bill.

Once the new law goes into effect, Maine will become the eighth state to allow medically assisted suicide, joining Oregon, California, Colorado, Vermont, Washington, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Fight to Expand Advanced Practitioner Roles Fails in Florida

House Bill 821 sought to grant autonomy to Advanced Practitioners in the state of Florida in an effort to expand access to care and affordability.

A bill that would have allowed non-physician practitioners to work independent of physician supervision met defeat in the Florida Senate this month.

House Bill 821 sought to grant autonomy to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who meet certain criteria to practice advanced or specialized nursing without physician supervision, and to authorize PAs to practice primary care without physician supervision. Florida, which currently ranks 41st in access to health care and affordability, allowed the cost-effective measure to die in Health Policy, and it is now considered indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration.

However, the fight is long from over.

Brandon Miller, legislative assistant to bill sponsor, State Rep. Cary Pigman (R-55), is quoted as saying, “We’ll try again for the 2020 legislative session.”

Currently, there are 22 states that have granted full practice authority to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and 18 states have adopted barrier reduction measures.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

AMA Urges Senate to Oppose Graham-Cassidy Bill

The AMA calls for the Senate to shut down Graham-Cassidy, which they say would result in millions of Americans losing health coverage.

The American Medical Association has issued a statement on behalf of its physician and medical student members, urging the Senate to reject the Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill, citing that the legislation violates the precept of “first do no harm.” They have also requested that the U.S. Senate oppose any other legislation that would “jeopardize health insurance coverage for tens of millions of Americans.” To read their letter to Majority Leader McConnell, Democratic Leader Schumer, and the whole of the Senate, please click here.

What are your thoughts on the proposed legislation and the AMA’s letter?

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.