August 7, 2020
APTA Update: August Recess Materials
As you may have seen this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the 2021 proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Physical therapy services are slated for a 9% cut. Given the new details regarding the 9% cut, an August Recess ask has changed. Please see below for the updated materials.
From the APTA Government Affairs Team:
Everything we have been talking about and feared for the last year came true on Monday night: CMS released the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and are proceeding with deeps cuts to over 35 provider groups, including cuts to PT and OT services by -9%.
First thing Tuesday morning, APTA met with our coalition of physician and non-physician organizations to strategize on next steps forward. APTA and this coalition have been advocating to CMS, HHS and Congress for a year on these proposed cuts, unfortunately Congress has been hesitant to take legislative action until the release of the proposed 2021 rule. Our coalition quickly issued a press release on the proposed fee schedule, and the three therapy groups (APTA, AOTA, and ASHA) also released a joint statement.
On Wednesday, Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) graciously offered to lead a House sign-on letter to Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy to request that a 2-year delay on the fee schedule cuts be included in the next legislative package. APTA staff reached out to every House office asking, encouraging them to sign onto Rush the letter. Grassroots efforts started at the same time, with APTA alerts to our Federal Affairs Liaisons (FAL)and Key Contacts (KC) with summaries and a copy of the letter to contact their House member. Within 48 hours, over 30 House members had committed to the Rush letter, and that number is expected to grow over the next 24 hours. We will update you next week on who signed the letter and you are encouraged to send a thank you note if your Representative signed on.
Every FAL and Key Contact that advocates to their members of Congress enhances and magnifies our lobbying efforts and creates a strong, unified front. If you want to take two minutes to send a letter to Congress on the proposed 9% cut, or encourage your patients, colleagues, friends, family, etc. click here for a shareable letter. Without you, our efforts are only half of the picture! So let's #FightTheCut!
Thank you for your time, efforts, and advocacy.
Sincerely,
Christine Schulte, PT, MBA
President
