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The lead sponsors of legislation to repeal the therapy cap law [including, Reps. Phil English (R-PA), Ben Cardin(D-MD), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)] have spearheaded a "Dear Colleague" letter urging Congress to extend the exception process beyond 2006. This letter resulted in 177 Members of Congress signing the letter to House leadership as well as the support of 46 Senators - 3 more than currently on the repeal legislation to Senate leaders. Copies of the letters and a press release from Rep. English can be found on ASHA's Therapy Cap Advocacy Center.
The Deficit Reduction Act that was passed in February included the establishment of a one-year exceptions process for the Medicare outpatient therapy caps. While the strong support shown by the letters does not guarantee congressional action, it demonstrates that there is widespread bipartisan resolve to address the therapy cap issue this year. ASHA will continue to work with other professional therapy-related organizations on further follow-up activities to promote action on the therapy caps by Congress. For further information, please contact Ingrida Lusis, ASHA's Director of Health Care Regulatory Advocacy, at reimbursement@asha.org.
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