The Senate passed H.R. 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, which would extend certain Medicare provisions that are set to expire at the end of March through December 31, 2010. This legislation would include the therapy cap exceptions process, avert the 21 percent cut to Medicare Part B payments, and freeze payment levels at 2009 rates.
The bill must now pass the House and be signed into law by the President. Action by the Senate today is a first step in ensuring that the therapy caps are not reinstated on March 31, 2010. For additional information, contact Ingrida Lusis, ASHA's Director of Federal and Political Advocacy, by e-mail at ilusis@asha.org.