Senate Bill 3963
Posted in Lymph Drainage, Medical Massage on 09/04/2006 09:07 pm by AMMA*NOTE: This bill never became law. This bill was proposed in a previous session of Congress. Sessions of Congress last two years, and at the end of each session all proposed bills and resolutions that haven’t passed are cleared from the books.
There is a bill currently in the US Senate that will, when passed, allow for much greater access to lymphedema treatment for Medicare recipients. This is vital, especially for breast cancer survivors who have a significantly higher likelihood of developing lymphedema than the general population.
Currently, only physical therapists may provide this therapy. The new law will restore physician choice to assign care to the therapist of his or her choice. A large percentage of lymphedema therapists with advanced training (myself included) are massage therapists and nurses (LPNs and RNs). As a result, the number of qualified therapists who can provide this service under Medicare is greatly limited. With passage of this bill, patient access to quality healthcare will be greatly enhanced. Private insurance companies also tend to follow Medicare’s lead, thus better access to physical medicine for those not on Medicare should follow.
In order to ensure proper care for those who need it, we need your support. Please contact your Congressmen and women and urge them to co-sponsor this bill and vote yes to S.3963. (History has shown that the more co-sponsors a bill has, the greater the likelihood of it’s passage.)