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07/18/2017

49 Senators Endorse Relief for Rural & Non-bid Area Providers

Letter to HHS & CMS Signed by Nearly Half of U.S. Senate is Latest Signal that Congress Seeks Action to Address Unsustainable Medicare Reimbursement Rates; Final Signee List Released

49 U.S. Senators have come together to ask HHS and CMS for relief for providers in rural/non-bid areas in a recently released Senate sign-on letter spearheaded by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.).

Noting that the 21st Century Cures Act clearly demonstrated Congressional concern with the current rural/non-bid reimbursement structure, the Senators request that "the Department swiftly use its regulatory authority to provide relief in non-competitively bid areas."

"This call for relief for non-bid area providers from nearly half of the Senate follows on last month's successful House sign-on letter in support of that issue and other HME policy priorities," noted Tom Ryan, president & CEO of the American Association for Homecare.  "Taken together, these letters send a clear signal that Congress wants prompt action to address unsustainable Medicare reimbursement rates."

"Senators Thune and Heitkamp deserve great credit for helping deliver such a strong, bipartisan show of support for rural providers," added Ryan. "HME patients and their caregivers are lucky to have such passionate and effective advocates in their corner." 

See the final copy of the letter with signatures and full list of Senate signees listed by state.

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