House-Passed Bill Averting Spending Cuts Protects Patient Access and Provider Stability

Therapy leaders urge U.S. Senate to promptly pass H.R. 1868 to extend sequestration moratorium and help stabilize the nation’s healthcare delivery system

Washington, D.C. –– The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) lauds lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives for today passing H.R. 1868. By waiving statutory pay-as-you-go (S-PAYGO) requirements for the recently-passed COVID-19 relief package and extending temporary suspension of Medicare sequestration from March 31 to December 31, the legislation will ensure continued financial relief for Medicare specialty providers and preservation of beneficiary care services.

The bill, introduced by John Yarmuth (KY-3), Chair of the House Budget Committee; Richard Neal (MA-1), Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee; Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; and David Scott (GA-13), Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, passed the House by a 246-175 vote.  It will now head to the U.S. Senate.

“Extending the temporary suspension of sequestration is a widely welcomed step, as it will provide the much-needed financial support specialty providers, including physical, occupational and speech therapists, need during a time of unprecedented stress,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI. “We applaud the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 1868, which will help bolster our nation’s healthcare system during this crisis and ensure vulnerable patients’ continued access to the specialty services they need. We urge the Senate to pass the bill quickly and for President Biden to sign it into law.”

To read the text of H.R. 1868, click here.

# # #