[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5685-H5688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUSTAINING HEALTHCARE INTEGRITY AND FAIR TREATMENT ACT OF 2016
Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5713) to provide for the extension of certain long-term care
hospital Medicare payment rules, clarify the application of rules on
the calculation of hospital length of stay to certain moratorium-
excepted long-term care hospitals, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5713
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Sustaining
Healthcare Integrity and Fair Treatment Act of 2016''.
(b) Table of Contents.--This table of contents of this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--MEDICARE PART A PROVISIONS
Sec. 101. Extension of certain LTCH Medicare payment rules.
Sec. 102. Application of rules on the calculation of hospital length of
stay to all LTCHs.
Sec. 103. Change in Medicare classification for certain hospitals.
Sec. 104. Temporary exception to the application of the Medicare LTCH
site neutral provisions for certain spinal cord specialty
hospitals.
Sec. 105. Temporary extension to the application of the Medicare LTCH
site neutral provisions for certain discharges with
severe wounds.
TITLE II--OTHER PROVISIONS
Sec. 201. No payment for items and services furnished by newly enrolled
providers or suppliers within a temporary moratorium
area.
TITLE I--MEDICARE PART A PROVISIONS
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LTCH MEDICARE PAYMENT RULES.
(a) 25-Percent Patient Threshold Payment Adjustment.--
Section 114(c)(1)(A) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP
Extension Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 1395ww note), as amended by
section 4302(a) of division B of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (Public Law 111-5), sections 3106(a) and
10312(a) of Public Law 111-148, and section 1206(b)(1)(B) of
the Pathway for SGR Reform Act of 2013 (division B of Public
Law 113-67), is amended by striking ``for a 9-year period''
and inserting ``through June 30, 2016, and for discharges
occurring on or after October 1, 2016, and before July 1,
2017''.
(b) Payment for Hospitals-within-hospitals.--Section
114(c)(2) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act
of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 1395ww note), as amended by section
4302(a) of division B of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (Public Law 111-5), sections 3106(a) and
10312(a) of Public
[[Page H5686]]
Law 111-148, and section 1206(b)(1)(A) of the Pathway for SGR
Reform Act of 2013 (division B of Public Law 113-67), is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or any similar
provision,'' after ``Regulations,'';
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) in clause (i), by inserting ``or any similar
provision,'' after ``Regulations,''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``, or any similar
provision,'' after ``Regulations''; and
(3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``for a 9-year
period'' and inserting ``through June 30, 2016, and for
discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2016, and before
July 1, 2017''.
SEC. 102. APPLICATION OF RULES ON THE CALCULATION OF HOSPITAL
LENGTH OF STAY TO ALL LTCHS.
(a) In General.--Section 1206(a)(3) of the Pathway for SGR
Reform Act of 2013 (division B of Public Law 113-67; 42
U.S.C. 1395ww note) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (B);
(2) by striking ``site neutral basis.--'' and all that
follows through ``For discharges occurring'' and inserting
``site neutral basis.--For discharges occurring'';
(3) by striking ``subject to subparagraph (B),''; and
(4) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subparagraphs
(A) and (B), respectively, and moving each of such
subparagraphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the left.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall be effective as if included in the enactment of section
1206(a)(3) of the Pathway for SGR Reform Act of 2013
(division B of Public Law 113-67; 42 U.S.C. 1395ww note).
SEC. 103. CHANGE IN MEDICARE CLASSIFICATION FOR CERTAIN
HOSPITALS.
(a) In General.--Subsection (d)(1)(B) of section 1886 of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww) is amended--
(1) in clause (iv)--
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(B) in subclause (II)--
(i) by striking ``, or'' at the end and inserting a
semicolon; and
(ii) by redesignating such subclause as clause (vi) and by
moving it to immediately follow clause (v); and
(iii) in clause (v), by striking the semicolon at the end
and inserting ``, or''; and
(C) by striking ``(iv)(I) a hospital'' and inserting ``(iv)
a hospital''.
(b) Conforming Payment References.--The second sentence of
subsection (d)(1)(B) of such section is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(as in effect as of such date)'' after
``clause (iv)''; and
(2) by inserting ``(or, in the case of a hospital described
in clause (iv)(II), as so in effect, shall be classified
under clause (vi) on and after the effective date of such
clause (vi) and for cost reporting periods beginning on or
after January 1, 2015, shall not be subject to subsection (m)
as of the date of such classification)'' after ``so
classified''.
(c) Application.--
(1) In general.--For cost reporting periods beginning on or
after January 1, 2015, in the case of an applicable hospital
(as defined in paragraph (3)), the following shall apply:
(A) Payment for inpatient operating costs shall be made on
a reasonable cost basis in the manner provided in section
412.526(c)(3) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in
effect on January 1, 2015) and in any subsequent
modifications.
(B) Payment for capital costs shall be made in the manner
provided by section 412.526(c)(4) of title 42, Code of
Federal Regulations (as in effect on such date).
(C) Claims for payment for Medicare beneficiaries who are
discharged on or after January 1, 2017, shall be processed as
claims which are paid on a reasonable cost basis as described
in section 412.526(c) of title 42, Code of Federal
Regulations (as in effect on such date).
(2) Applicable hospital defined.--In this subsection, the
term ``applicable hospital'' means a hospital that is
classified under clause (iv)(II) of section 1886(d)(1)(B) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(1)(B)) on the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act and which is
classified under clause (vi) of such section, as redesignated
and moved by subsection (a), on or after such date of
enactment.
(d) Conforming Technical Amendments.--
(1) Section 1899B(a)(2)(A)(iv) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1395lll(a)(2)(A)(iv)) is amended by striking
``1886(d)(1)(B)(iv)(II)'' and inserting
``1886(d)(1)(B)(vi)''.
(2) Section 1886(m)(5)(F) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1395ww(m)(5)(F)) is amended in each of clauses (i) and (ii)
by striking ``(d)(1)(B)(iv)(II)'' and inserting
``(d)(1)(B)(vi)''.
SEC. 104. TEMPORARY EXCEPTION TO THE APPLICATION OF THE
MEDICARE LTCH SITE NEUTRAL PROVISIONS FOR
CERTAIN SPINAL CORD SPECIALTY HOSPITALS.
(a) Exception.--Section 1886(m)(6) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(m)(6)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``and (E)'' and
inserting ``, (E), and (F)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(F) Temporary exception for certain spinal cord specialty
hospitals.--For discharges in cost reporting periods
beginning during fiscal years 2018 and 2019, subparagraph
(A)(i) shall not apply (and payment shall be made to a long-
term care hospital without regard to this paragraph) if such
discharge is from a long-term care hospital that meets each
of the following requirements:
``(i) Not-for-profit.--The long-term care hospital was a
not-for-profit long-term care hospital on June 1, 2014, as
determined by cost report data.
``(ii) Primarily providing treatment for catastrophic
spinal cord or acquired brain injuries or other paralyzing
neuromuscular conditions.--Of the discharges in calendar year
2013 from the long-term care hospital for which payment was
made under this section, at least 50 percent were classified
under MS-LTCH-DRGs 28, 29, 52, 57, 551, 573, and 963.
``(iii) Significant out-of-state admissions.--
``(I) In general.--The long-term care hospital discharged
inpatients (including both individuals entitled to, or
enrolled for, benefits under this title and individuals not
so entitled or enrolled) during fiscal year 2014 who had been
admitted from at least 20 of the 50 States, determined by the
States of residency of such inpatients and based on such data
submitted by the hospital to the Secretary as the Secretary
may require.
``(II) Implementation.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the Secretary may implement subclause (I) by program
instruction or otherwise.
``(III) Non-application of paperwork reduction act.--
Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply
to data collected under this clause.''.
(b) Study and Report on the Status and Viability of Certain
Spinal Cord Specialty Long-term Care Hospitals.--
(1) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study on long-term care hospitals described
in section 1886(m)(6)(F) of the Social Security Act, as added
by subsection (a). Such report shall include an analysis of
the following:
(A) The impact on such hospitals of the classification and
facility licensure by State agencies of such hospitals.
(B) The Medicare payment rates for such hospitals.
(C) Data on the number and health care needs of Medicare
beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with catastrophic
spinal cord or acquired brain injuries or other paralyzing
neuromuscular conditions (as described within the discharge
classifications specified in clause (ii) of such section) who
are receiving services from such hospitals.
(2) Report.--Not later than October 1, 2018, the
Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the
study conducted under paragraph (1), including
recommendations for such legislation and administrative
action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
SEC. 105. TEMPORARY EXTENSION TO THE APPLICATION OF THE
MEDICARE LTCH SITE NEUTRAL PROVISIONS FOR
CERTAIN DISCHARGES WITH SEVERE WOUNDS.
(a) In General.--Section 1886(m)(6) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(m)(6)), as amended by section 104, is
further amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i) by striking ``and (F)'' and
inserting ``(F), and (G)'';
(2) in subparagraph (E)(i)(I)(aa), by striking ``the
amendment made'' and all that follows before the semicolon
and inserting ``the last sentence of subsection (d)(1)(B)'';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(G) Additional temporary exception for certain severe
wound discharges from certain long-term care hospitals.--
``(i) In general.--For a discharge occurring in a cost
reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2018,
subparagraph (A)(i) shall not apply (and payment shall be
made to a long-term care hospital without regard to this
paragraph) if such discharge--
``(I) is from a long-term care hospital identified by the
last sentence of subsection (d)(1)(B);
``(II) is classified under MS-LTCH-DRG 602, 603, 539, or
540; and
``(III) is with respect to an individual treated by a long-
term care hospital for a severe wound.
``(ii) Severe wound defined.--In this subparagraph, the
term `severe wound' means a wound which is a stage 3 wound,
stage 4 wound, unstageable wound, non-healing surgical wound,
or fistula as identified in the claim from the long-term care
hospital.
``(iii) Wound defined.--In this subparagraph, the term
`wound' means an injury involving division of tissue or
rupture of the integument or mucous membrane with exposure to
the external environment.''.
(c) Study and Report to Congress.--
(1) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, conduct a
study on the treatment needs of individuals entitled to
benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security
Act or enrolled under part B of such title who require
specialized wound care, and the cost, for such individuals
and the Medicare program under such title, of treating severe
wounds in rural and urban areas. Such study shall include an
assessment of--
(A) access of such individuals to appropriate levels of
care for such cases;
(B) the potential impact that section 1886(m)(6)(A)(i) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(m)(6)(A)(i)) will have on the
access, quality, and cost of care for such individuals; and
(C) how to appropriately pay for such care under the
Medicare program under such title.
(2) Report.--Not later than October 1, 2020, the
Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the
study conducted
[[Page H5687]]
under paragraph (1), including recommendations for such
legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller
General determines appropriate.
TITLE II--OTHER PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. NO PAYMENT FOR ITEMS AND SERVICES FURNISHED BY
NEWLY ENROLLED PROVIDERS OR SUPPLIERS WITHIN A
TEMPORARY MORATORIUM AREA.
(a) Medicare.--Section 1866(j)(7) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(j)(7)) is amended--
(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``; nonpayment''
before the period; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) Nonpayment.--
``(i) In general.--No payment may be made under this title
or under a program described in subparagraph (A) with respect
to an item or service described in clause (ii) furnished on
or after October 1, 2017.
``(ii) Item or service described.--An item or service
described in this clause is an item or service furnished--
``(I) within a geographic area with respect to which a
temporary moratorium imposed under subparagraph (A) is in
effect; and
``(II) by a provider of services or supplier that meets the
requirements of clause (iii).
``(iii) Requirements.--For purposes of clause (ii), the
requirements of this clause are that a provider of services
or supplier--
``(I) enrolls under this title on or after the effective
date of such temporary moratorium; and
``(II) is within a category of providers of services and
suppliers (as described in subparagraph (A)) subject to such
temporary moratorium.
``(iv) Prohibition on charges for specified items or
services.--In no case shall a provider of services or
supplier described in clause (ii)(II) charge an individual or
other person for an item or service described in clause (ii)
furnished on or after October 1, 2017, to an individual
entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B or
an individual under a program specified in subparagraph
(A).''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Medicaid.--
(A) In general.--Section 1903(i)(2) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(i)(2)) is amended--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking the comma at the end
and inserting a semicolon;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' at the end;
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) with respect to any amount expended for such an item
or service furnished during calendar quarters beginning on or
after October 1, 2017, subject to section
1902(kk)(4)(A)(ii)(II), within a geographic area that is
subject to a moratorium imposed under section 1866(j)(7) by a
provider or supplier that meets the requirements specified in
subparagraph (C)(iii) of such section, during the period of
such moratorium; or''.
(B) Exception with respect to access.--Section
1902(kk)(4)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1396a(kk)(4)(A)(ii)) is amended to read as follows:
``(ii) Exceptions.--
``(I) Compliance with moratorium.--A State shall not be
required to comply with a temporary moratorium described in
clause (i) if the State determines that the imposition of
such temporary moratorium would adversely impact
beneficiaries' access to medical assistance.
``(II) FFP available.--Notwithstanding section
1903(i)(2)(D), payment may be made to a State under this
title with respect to amounts expended for items and services
described in such section if the Secretary, in consultation
with the State agency administering the State plan under this
title (or a waiver of the plan), determines that denying
payment to the State pursuant to such section would adversely
impact beneficiaries' access to medical assistance. ''.
(C) State plan requirement with respect to limitation on
charges to beneficiaries.--Section 1902(kk)(4)(A) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(kk)(4)(A)) is amended by
adding at the end the following new clause:
``(iii) Limitation on charges to beneficiaries.--With
respect to any amount expended for items or services
furnished during calendar quarters beginning on or after
October 1, 2017, the State prohibits, during the period of a
temporary moratorium described in clause (i), a provider
meeting the requirements specified in subparagraph (C)(iii)
of section 1866(j)(7) from charging an individual or other
person eligible to receive medical assistance under the State
plan under this title (or a waiver of the plan) for an item
or service described in section 1903(i)(2)(D) furnished to
such an individual.''.
(2) Correcting amendments to related provisions.--
(A) Section 1866(j).--Section 1866(j) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(j)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1)(A)--
(I) by striking ``paragraph (4)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(5)'';
(II) by striking ``moratoria in accordance with paragraph
(5)'' and inserting ``moratoria in accordance with paragraph
(7)''; and
(III) by striking ``paragraph (6)'' and inserting
``paragraph (9)''; and
(ii) by redesignating the second paragraph (8) (added by
section 1304(1) of Public Law 111-152) as paragraph (9).
(B) Section 1902(kk).--Section 1902(kk) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1396a(kk)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``section 1886(j)(2)''
and inserting ``section 1866(j)(2)'';
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``section 1886(j)(3)''
and inserting ``section 1866(j)(3)'';
(iii) in paragraph (3), by striking ``section 1886(j)(4)''
and inserting ``section 1866(j)(5)''; and
(iv) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``section
1886(j)(6)'' and inserting ``section 1866(j)(7)''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
General Leave
Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 5713, currently under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This bill provides needed regulatory relief for our hospitals,
specifically long-term care hospitals.
I am happy that the Ways and Means Committee has come together in a
bipartisan effort on this bill, and I want to thank my colleague and
dear friend from the Garden State, Bill Pascrell, for cosponsoring this
bill with me today.
H.R. 5713, the Sustaining Healthcare Integrity and Fair Treatment
Act, or the SHIFT Act, will give relief to all long-term care
hospitals, or LTCHs, from the 25 percent rule before it fully goes into
effect next month on October 1 of this year.
This CMS rule, which has been delayed for 10 years, allows for no
more than 25 percent of patients to come from one inpatient acute care
hospital in one quarter. My bill will reinstate the 50 percent
threshold that was in effect prior to July 1, 2016, and delay the rule
for 9 months.
During a time when patients and healthcare providers are facing
increasing burdens and higher costs, I am pleased that we could come to
an agreement that will help over 400 hospitals across America. This
bill will also provide relief for four specific groups of LTCHs that
treat highly unique groups of patients.
I was glad to work with a number of my colleagues to incorporate
their bills within this bill, including Mr. Buchanan's and Mr.
Pascrell's bill, H.R. 4650; Mr. Jason Smith's bill, H.R. 5559; Mr.
Crowley's bill, H.R. 5614; Dr. Price's and Mr. Lewis' bill, H.R. 5688;
and finally, Mr. Levin's bill, H.R. 5723.
The SHIFT Act also allows the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's
Health Insurance Program to limit reimbursement for providers or
suppliers who may be exploiting program integrity loopholes and
engaging in waste, fraud, or abuse. This will prevent hard-earned
taxpayer dollars from going to bad actors.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Washington, DC, September 20, 2016.
Hon. Kevin Brady,
Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Brady: I write in regard to the following
bills:
H.R. 5713, Sustaining Healthcare Integrity and Fair
Treatment Act of 2016;
H.R. 5659, Expanding Seniors Receiving Dialysis Choice Act
of 2016; and,
H.R. 5613, To provide for the extension of the enforcement
instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient
therapeutic services in critical access and small rural
hospitals through 2016.
As you know, H.R. 5716, H.R. 5659, and H.R. 5613 were each
referred to both the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the
Committee on Ways and Means. I wanted to notify you that the
Committee on Energy and Commerce will forgo action on each of
these bills so that they may proceed expeditiously to the
House floor for consideration.
This is done with the understanding that the Committee on
Energy and Commerce's jurisdictional interests over these
bills and similar legislation are in no way diminished or
altered and that the Committee will be appropriately
consulted and involved as these bills or similar legislation
move forward. In addition, the Committee reserves the right
to seek conferees each of these bills and requests your
support when such a request is made.
I would appreciate your response confirming this
understanding with respect to
[[Page H5688]]
H.R. 5716, H.R. 5659, and H.R. 5613 and ask that a copy of
our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the
Congressional Record during consideration of these bills on
the House floor.
Sincerely,
Fred Upton,
Chairman.
____
Committee on Ways and Means,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, September 20, 2016.
Hon. Fred Upton,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Upton: Thank you for your letter regarding
the following bills:
H.R. 5713, the ``Sustaining Healthcare Integrity and Fair
Treatment Act of 2016;''
H.R. 5659, the ``Expanding Seniors Receiving Dialysis
Choice Act of 2016;'' and
H.R. 5613, to provide for the extension of the enforcement
instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient
therapeutic services in critical access and small rural
hospitals through 2016.
I am most appreciative of your decision to waive formal
consideration of these measures so that they may proceed
expeditiously to the House floor. I acknowledge that although
you waived formal consideration of these bills, the Committee
on Energy and Commerce is in no way waiving its jurisdiction
over the subject matter contained in those provisions of the
bills that fall within your Rule X jurisdiction. I would
support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate
number of conferees on any House-Senate conference involving
this legislation.
I will include a copy of our letters in the Congressional
Record during consideration of these measures on the House
floor.
Sincerely,
Kevin Brady,
Chairman.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce H.R. 5713 with Mr. Tiberi,
Sustaining Healthcare Integrity and Fair Treatment Act. I think this is
good legislation, not because my name is on it but because I thought a
lot of thought came into this, and staff helped tremendously.
This is one of the areas I have tried to concentrate on since being
in Congress: long-term and acute care. As the cofounder and co-chair of
the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, I understand the important
role that long-term care hospitals play in the recovery of many
individuals who suffer moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries, or
TBIs.
I use this as one example, the area of TBI. If there is one thing I
have learned about TBI in the 18 years I have been working on this
issue, it is that recovery looks different for everyone, whether you
are on the battlefield or you fall off a ladder trying to fix your
roof.
I understand the important role that long-term care hospitals play. I
want to repeat that. That is why we must, I believe, preserve access to
all post-acute care options, so that patients can receive the
individualized care they need, and we don't tell them: get out, because
your time is up, in the middle of their treatment. And that is what the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) has talked about many times.
{time} 1730
This is the right legislation, I believe, for this particular
problem. H.R. 5713 would provide an additional 9 months of relief from
the full implementation of the 25 percent rule for long-term care
hospitals, which Mr. Tiberi mentioned. This bill includes technical
changes for long-term hospitals.
H.R. 5713 would, first, clarify the application of rules on the
calculation of the hospital length to certain moratorium-excepted
LTCHs, the long-term care hospitals.
Second, it would correct the status of Calvary Hospital in New York
City that has led to secondary-payer issues, big issues.
Third, it would provide a temporary exception to the application of
the Medicare long-term care hospital site-neutral provisions for
certain spinal cord specialty hospitals.
Fourth, it would exempt four payment codes for severe wounds from
site-neutral payments.
This is a bipartisan piece of legislation. We can do this. We could
do it, without exception, if you put people in the room who want to
compromise, who don't know all the answers, and I don't. We could come
to a conclusion.
This bill would offset the cost of this extension by implementing an
important program integrity policy that would allow the Secretary to
reject Medicare claims from new Medicare suppliers and providers
located just outside of the moratorium areas.
While this bill is an important step forward, it is just a temporary
Band-Aid on the 25 percent rule. I say to the gentleman, I don't
believe it is a permanent solution, but I think it helps us. We need to
work together to find a long-term solution to the issue.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill before us today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I don't think I have any more speakers and
am ready to close.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, long-term hospitals are an important part
of our post-acute care system. This bill will help preserve access and
maintain fairness for these hospitals and their patients.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5713, and it is my hope that
this bill is taken up expeditiously on the other side of the building
in the Senate.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I thank the Speaker for allowing me the opportunity to present this
bill today, this bipartisan bill that came out of the Ways and Means
Committee.
I really can't add much to what Mr. Pascrell said, and I really
appreciate his leadership, not only on this issue, but on the issue of
traumatic brain injury. There has been nobody in the Congress who has
talked more, spent more time in educating folks and trying to come up
with solutions to traumatic brain injury, and I appreciate his
leadership.
I thank the Speaker for allowing us to present and advance this
package, this healthcare package through the process today.
I ask all my colleagues to vote for it. We must help those
beneficiaries that suffer from acute, long-term illness and injuries,
and I believe this bill will do just that.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 5713, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. HUELSKAMP. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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