Federal Focus- March 2010

Breaking News! Final Push for Passing Health Care Reform
This week will prove pivotal as Congress begins the final push to pass health care reform legislation into law. Over the past few weeks, both chambers of Congress have been engaged in discussions to complete passage of health care reform. Progress is being made and the House of Representatives is expected to vote on legislation within the week.

Since the beginning of this effort, MS activists have actively supported a balanced, bipartisan and comprehensive approach to health care reform legislation. By getting engaged early and staying committed, MS activists were able to help shape this historic initiative and we will continue to voice our support until the final vote. Stay tuned later this week for additional ways you can help ensure that health care reform legislation is enacted this year. In the meantime, visit the Society's government affairs website for the latest information on health care reform.

Activists From Across the Country Participate in 2010 Public Policy Conference
Over 300 activists from across the United States came to Washington, DC March 1-3 to participate in the 2010 Public Policy Conference. Every year, activists travel to Washington to advance the MS movement by meeting with their federal legislators. MS activists help shape federal public policy by discussing three of the Society's priority issues and sharing their own personal and moving stories. Thanks to our passionate advocates, this year our conference was immensely successful--with activists making nearly 350 visits to congressional offices!

Prior to their Capitol Hill visits, activists received an overview regarding three public policy priority issues from expert panels. This year, MS activists urged:

* full funding of the Lifespan Repite Care Act,
* advancement of the National MS and Parkinson's Disease Registries Act, and
* increased support for MS research within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.

During the conference, the Society was fortunate to have leaders from both the White House and Congress participate, including: Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy; Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15th); and Congressman James Langevin (RI-2nd).

In addition to program participation, three prominent figures--Governor Jack Markell (DE), Senator Sherrod Brown (OH), and Representative Chris Van Hollen (MD-8th)-- made appearances to accept awards for 2009 Governor, Senator, and Representative of the Year.

Therapy Caps and Medicare Physician Payments Temporarily Extended
On March 10, the Senate passed the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (H.R.4213). Among other policies, H.R.4213 temporarily extends the scheduled Medicare payment reduction for physician services and re-instates the therapy cap exceptions in Medicare process. If the President signs this bill, this legislation would delay the Medicare physician payment reduction through September 30, 2010 and would extend the therapy cap exception through December 31, 2010.

This is the second time in a month that Congress has passed a bill to prolong these two policies. On March 2, President Obama signed into law the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (H.R.4691), which pushed back the expiration date for the Medicare payment reduction and therapy caps exception process until April 1. Without this measure, Medicare physicians faced a sizable 21.2 percent reduction in payment rates, as the previous extension ended on March 1. In addition, this bill re-established the longstanding Medicare therapy caps exceptions process, which expired December 31, 2009. According to the Temporary Extension Act of 2010, the exceptions process is retroactive dating back until January 1, 2010. This will provide temporary financial relief for those individuals who already surpassed their therapy limit of $1,860 this year.

Although the National MS Society is pleased with Congress' efforts to implement a short-term solution, the Society will continue to advocate for efforts that prevent the Medicare payment cut and extend the therapy cap exceptions process permanently.

Senate Passes Bill to Extend Medicaid Relief
On Wednesday, March 10, the Senate passed the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (H.R.4213) by a vote of 62-36. In addition to extending long-term unemployment benefits and various tax provisions, the bill would extend the temporary increased Federal match for state Medicaid programs. The federal match for Medicaid programs, known as the "FMAP", or Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, was originally increased in economic recovery legislation enacted in early 2009. The recovery legislation provided a 6.2% increase to all states and territories and the recently passed bill, H.R. 4213, would extend this increase through June 30, 2011.