Herb Forum Articles & Resources

Offering the 250-plus attendees lobbying advice, legislative updates, information on regulatory policy, and election news were representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Soapbox Consulting, as well as APTA staff.

Forum participants applauded Herb Kuhn, director of the Center for Medicare Management at CMS, when he said that CMS policy staff "should be in the field more" to "see, touch, and kick the tires." Sen Susan M Collins (R-ME) was similarly applauded when she characterized Medicare policies as sometimes "penny-wise and pound-foolish." Collins, who thanked audience members for their efforts to educate Congress on important issues, called the $1,590 Medicare cap-which could be reimposed on Jan 1, 2006-"shortsighted" and a "disservice" to patients.

Sen Ben Nelson (D-NE) said CMS's "75% rule" governing payment criteria for inpatient rehabilitation facilities had "the right intention but the wrong result." Rural settings, he told forum attendees, are being shortchanged based on the "assumption that in rural areas, less is okay." Nelson argued that "you need to challenge assumptions in Washington," adding, "policy needs to be based on reality and data."

Two prestigious awards also were bestowed during the forum. Jayne Snyder, PT, MA, received APTA's 2004 Federal Government Affairs Leadership Award for her efforts in promoting the Association's federal issues and interests and increasing awareness among members of the importance of advocacy for the profession. Rep Earl Pomeroy (AND), a cosponsor of HR 792, received APTA's 2004 Public Service Award.