APTQI Hails Senate Passage of Medicare Sequester Relief Act (S.748)

Therapy leaders urge the House to pass corresponding legislation to extend the sequester moratorium and delay a 2% cut to all Medicare payments through the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency in order to help stabilize the nation’s healthcare delivery system

Washington, D.C. –– The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) commends the U.S. Senate for passing the Medicare Sequester Relief Act (S. 748), which will extend the suspension of Medicare sequestration for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The bipartisan bill will delay a 2% cut to all Medicare payments until after the public health emergency expires. APTQI urges the House to pass corresponding legislation in order to strengthen provider stability and protect patient access to vital health services including physical and occupational therapy.

The legislation, which will ensure continued relief for Medicare specialty providers who have faced significant reimbursement cuts both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, passed the Senate by a 90-2 vote. The Medicare Sequester Relief Act was introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME).

“With the passage of the Medicare Sequester Relief Act, the Senate has once again shown its continued support for stabilizing America’s healthcare system during this unprecedented crisis,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI. “Extending the sequester moratorium through the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency is critical for maintaining patient access to key services including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. We commend the Senate for passing this important bill and urge the House to take up corresponding legislation quickly so that President Biden can sign it into law.”

To read the text of the bill, click here.

# # #

Therapy leaders urge the House to pass corresponding legislation to extend the sequester moratorium and delay a 2% cut to all Medicare payments through the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency in order to help stabilize the nation’s healthcare delivery system

Washington, D.C. –– The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) commends the U.S. Senate for passing the Medicare Sequester Relief Act (S. 748), which will extend the suspension of Medicare sequestration for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The bipartisan bill will delay a 2% cut to all Medicare payments until after the public health emergency expires. APTQI urges the House to pass corresponding legislation in order to strengthen provider stability and protect patient access to vital health services including physical and occupational therapy.

The legislation, which will ensure continued relief for Medicare specialty providers who have faced significant reimbursement cuts both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, passed the Senate by a 90-2 vote. The Medicare Sequester Relief Act was introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME).

“With the passage of the Medicare Sequester Relief Act, the Senate has once again shown its continued support for stabilizing America’s healthcare system during this unprecedented crisis,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI. “Extending the sequester moratorium through the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency is critical for maintaining patient access to key services including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. We commend the Senate for passing this important bill and urge the House to take up corresponding legislation quickly so that President Biden can sign it into law.”

To read the text of the bill, click here.

# # #