Easter Seals provides exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities.
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Legislative Action
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Medicare Medicare provides health insurance for approximately 43 million Americans that are 65 years of age or older or that have a disability and are no longer able to work. Medicare was established in 1965 and has expanded since then to provide coverage for a wide range of acute, rehabilitative and preventive services in hospitals and home and community-based settings from physicians and other health care practitioners. In 2003, Congress expanded Medicare to add a prescription drug benefit known as Part D and other benefits. Easter Seals and Medicare Easter Seals is committed to protecting and enhancing Medicare to assure adequate, appropriate and affordable access to home and community-based services that enable people with disabilities and older individuals to live full, healthy and independent lives. Easter Seals' Legislative Priorities
What's happening in Washington On July 9, 2008, the U.S. Senate passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, H.R. 6331, by unanimous consent following a procedural vote to bring the bill up for debate. The procedural step, called a “motion to invoke cloture,” allows the bill to come up for full debate, passed by 69-30. Sixty votes were needed to move the bill on for the Senate to consider it and 67 votes, or 2/3 of the Senate, should a veto override become necessary. The House overwhelmingly passed this bill by 355-59 on June 24. This measure includes language to avoid a 10.6% reduction in the physician fee schedule which affects many other Medicare providers and the expiration of the therapy cap exception process, which took effect on July 1, 2008. This legislation also includes an 18 month delay in the implementation of the competitive bidding program under the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies program which began July 1, 2008. On July 15, 2008, President George W. Bush vetoed the legislation. On that same day, both the U.S. House and the Senate voted to override the veto. The House of Representatives voted by a margin of 383-41 and the Senate voted 70-26; both votes were well over the necessary two-thirds to block the president’s action. This bill is the vehicle for changes in Medicare which will improve access to care for low-income beneficiaries and broaden the range of preventive services available through Medicare. In a significant step toward mental health parity under this program, the measure will eliminate the current discriminatory copayment rates for Medicare outpatient mental health services, reducing the contribution from 50% to the 20% required for most other office visits. Another important provision would provide better access to a more extensive range of care by extending the therapy cap exception process that applies to physical, speech and occupational therapy services. Finally, the legislation includes an 18-month delay in the implementation of a competitive bidding process under the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies program which began on July 1, 2008. Easter Seals continues to be a strong advocate for federal health care programs and is committed to working toward better access to high quality care for people with disabilities and older individuals. Resources MAPRx, a coalition of patient, family caregiver and medical professional organizations, has put together information to answer many of the key questions that may arise about Medicare and Medicare Part D.
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