Ways and Means Passes Regulatory
Relief Legislation
April 4, 2003 - The full House Ways and Means April
2 passed (19-13) Medicare regulatory relief legislation, "Medicare
Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act" (MRCRA) (H.R.
810), that includes new provider rights regarding audits,
appeals, and recoveries. It establishes an EMTALA Technical
Advisory Group to advise the HHS Secretary on related issues
and creates a competitive process for selecting Medicare contractors.
The bill also requires pilot testing of new E&M guidelines
before implementation. One pilot must be conducted in a teaching
setting.
Despite strong Democratic opposition, the final bill included
two amendments related to a temporary suspension of certain
data collection by home health agencies and the reinstatement
of previously disqualified training programs for nursing home
aides.
The Ways and Means bill must now be reconciled with similar
legislation already passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee
(also H.R.810). The Commerce bill does not include the home
healthcare and nursing home amendments discussed above. The
House had passed similar regulatory relief provisions last
year, but the bill was not taken up by the Senate.
Information:
Christiane Mitchell, Senior Legislative Analyst
AAMC Government Relations
cmitchell@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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