H.R. 1956 – Reading Mode

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1956

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 17, 2021

Ms. Blunt Rochester (for herself, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Welch) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 to expand and expedite access to cardiac rehabilitation programs and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2021.

Expanding access to cardiac rehabilitation programs and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under Medicare program

(a)

Cardiac rehabilitation programs

Section 1861(eee) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(eee)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking a physician’s office and inserting the office of a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or the office of a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)); and

(B)

in subparagraph (C), by inserting after physician the following: (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5));

(2)

in paragraph (3)(A), by striking physician-prescribed exercise and inserting exercise prescribed by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)); and

(3)

in paragraph (5), by inserting after physician the following: (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)).

(b)

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs

Section 1861(fff) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(fff)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (2)(A), by striking physician-prescribed exercise and inserting exercise prescribed by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)); and

(2)

in paragraph (3), by inserting after physician the following: (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)).

(c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2022.

Expediting access to cardiac rehabilitation programs and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under Medicare program

Section 51008(c) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–123; 42 U.S.C. 1395x note) is amended by striking January 1, 2024 and inserting January 1, 2022.