|
As an SLP who has worked in the long-term care arena, I realize it is important to advocate for the repeal of the Medicare caps. I do have one question, though...Where was ASHA back in 1998 when the legislation was first going to vote? There was little mention of the legislation back then. ASHA only became actively involved when it was too late. Back then, ASHA's answer was that "the combined cap with PT and speech was a typographical error in the printed document" and required little action since it would be corrected. SLPs and, worse yet, Medicare beneficiaries, are paying a hefty price for that "typo." Believe me, I know. I was forced to leave long-term care and return to the public-school sector because the Balanced Budget Act left me without a job. I love my job as a school SLP (I have been a school SLP for 16 of my 18 professional years) and initially went to long-term care to expand my professional horizons. I loved my long-term care clients as well and feel bad that they are in such a quandary now. It is difficult to choose between walking, eating, or communicating.
I am very disappointed to see that ASHA has only reacted to the legislation instead of proactively trying to change things before it was too late. It is very difficult to continue reading of all ASHA's efforts in The ASHA Leader over the past few years. When the action was really needed, where were you?
Judith Anne Losh
Lumberton, NC
Editor's note: ASHA and other rehabilitation associations actively advocated during the early deliberations on the Balanced Budget Act in 1997 to ensure that the cap was reasonable. As a result, the level of the cap rose from $750 to $1,500. It was Congress that did not disclose the details of the combined cap until after the bill was passed. ASHA also delivered a legal brief to the agency now known as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services explaining that speech-language pathology and physical therapy services are separate and distinct under Medicare.
|