[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2245-E2246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          THE CAP ON MEDICARE THERAPY SERVICES MUST BE REMOVED

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, It has come to my attention that a pending 
change to Medicare policy enacted as part of the 1997 Balanced Budget 
Act will curtail access to needed outpatient therapy services for 
persons with severe disabilities and chronic health conditions. 
Effective January 1, 1999, this change limits payments for Medicare 
outpatient occupational therapy and physical therapy/speech-language 
pathology services (combined) to $1,500 per beneficiary per year. This 
is an arbitrary limit that will cause thousands of Medicare 
beneficiaries with disabilities to forfeit necessary care in excess of 
the $1,500 level, force them to switch health care providers when the 
$1,500 cap is reached, or require them to struggle to pay for 
continuing services out-of-pocket. Individuals recovering from stroke, 
who have Alzheimer's Disease, or who have advanced multiple sclerosis 
are among the Medicare beneficiaries that often need therapy services 
beyond that available under the $1,500 cap. It is these individuals and 
their families who will be hurt by this pending provision.
  I know that major national consumer, professional, and provider 
organizations are calling for the repeal of this provision or, at a 
minimum, for a delay in its implementation. For the past six months, 
these groups have explained that such limits on rehabilitation services 
are necessary, are not grounded in rational policy, and will carry 
harmful consequences for Medicare beneficiaries. Despite much 
discussion, it appears that this Congress will conclude its work 
without addressing the $1,500 Medicare cap issue.
  I share the concern that many Medicare beneficiaries are at risk of 
losing access to

[[Page E2246]]

need outpatient therapy services after January 1, 1999. I urge my 
colleagues to investigate the consequences of this pending change in 
Medicare payment and remedy the situation before it begins to cause 
serious harm to beneficiaries with disabilities and chronic health 
conditions and their families.

                          ____________________