Mr. Chairman, I believe that this study reconfirms our most grave concerns about the negative impact and unintended consequences of some BBA policy decisions. We believe Congress needs to take action now to make reasonable refinements in these policies so that appropriate and necessary care to our seniors is not sacrificed. We worked on this legislation because we understood Congressional wishes to control utilization of this benefit. However, this benefit is intended to improve patient care and exceptions should be made for those patients who need the services and avoid costly inpatient hospitalizations. As a provider, I treat people who have had strokes relearn to swallow.
More deaths result from asphyxiation following a stroke than any other complication.
As a provider, I treat people who can not communicate. These are services that are very different from physical therapy. I urge this Committee to distinguish these types of care and not force a patient to chose whether he or she will be able to swallow or walk again because of the unintended consequence of this combined cap on SLP and PT services. This benefit is in current law. We are merely asking that you establish us with the same level of billing authority as physical and occupational therapists.