WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) joined with Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) to introduce H.R. 2878 to prevent Medicare's enforcement of unreasonable and inflexible direct supervision rules for outpatient therapy services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other small, rural hospitals. This legislation was introduced by Loebsack and Jenkins in the 113th Congress and passed the House by a voice vote on September 9, 2014. The bill was signed by the President on December 4, 2014 and became public law. However, the law has expired and was introduced again by Congressman Loebsack and Congresswoman Jenkins.

"I am pleased to again join with Rep. Jenkins and work in a bipartisan manner to ensure all Iowans have access to high-quality health care no matter where they live," said Congressman Loebsack. "Critical Access Hospitals play an important role in rural communities by providing access to primary, emergency, and acute care services. I have visited multiple CAHs across my District that have struggled to meet the direct supervision requirement, and this important legislation will provide them with certainty that they deserve."

"Rural communities in Kansas and across the country depend on Critical Access Hospitals," said Congresswoman Jenkins. "CAHs are the lifeblood of their communities, and this legislation corrects a decision from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that puts a strain on providers without providing any quality improvements for the patients they serve. I was proud to lead a bipartisan push with Senator Moran last Congress to make this bill law, extend the direct supervision requirement moratorium, and give much-needed certainty to rural hospitals. I hope that Members from both parties can once again come together to ensure that high-quality, timely care is available no matter where you live in America."

Items to Note:

·       There are 1,332 CAHs across the country, 82 in Iowa.

·       Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator's John Thune (R-S.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.). S. 1261 passed out of the Senate Finance Committee on June 24, 2015.

Examples of direct supervision rules for outpatient therapy services: 

·       Application of cast to a finger

·       Blood transfusions

·       Application of a splint to a finger

·       Demonstration and/or evaluation of a patient utilizing a nebulizer or metered dose inhaler

·       Alcohol and/or substance abuse (other than tobacco) structured assessment and brief intervention (such as advising of health risks and counseling for 15-30 mins)

·       Pulmonary rehabilitation, including exercise of one hour per session - up to two sessions per day

What They Are Saying:

American Hospital Association: On behalf of our more than 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, and our nearly 43,000 individual members, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is pleased to express our support for the your legislation, H.R. 2878, which would extend through calendar year (CY) 2015 the enforcement delay on direct supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services provided in critical access hospitals (CAHs) and rural prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals with 100 or fewer beds. Your legislation provides immediate and critical relief to small, rural hospitals and ensures patients in these communities will continue to have access to outpatient therapeutic services. As you know, these services have always been provided by licensed, skilled professionals under the overall direction of a physician and with the assurance of rapid assistance from a team of caregivers, including a physician.

National Rural Health Association: The National Rural Health Association (NRHA), a non-profit membership organization with more than 21,000 members in rural America, strongly applauds the introduction H.R. 2878 to place a moratorium on CMS' enforcement of direct physician supervision requirements for outpatient therapy services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other rural hospitals for 2015.  Your legislation will provide temporary relief that will go far in relieving the regulatory burden of direct supervision of outpatient therapeutic services for rural hospitals.

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. (July 7, 2015) - Several local students have graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. These four were among the approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students who received their diplomas May 17, 2015 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee.

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws its more than 11,500 students from all 50 states and more than 75 different countries. In addition to its nationally recognized academic programs, Marquette is known for its service learning programs and internships as students are challenged to use what they learn to make a difference in the world. Find out more about Marquette at marquette.edu.

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Alexa Hackfort, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations, Bettendorf, IA

Brianna Ross, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Davenport, IA

Caitlin Kakert, Bachelor of Science, Physiological Sciences, Moline, IL

Matthew Noe, MS in Accounting, Accounting, Rock Island, IL

This Exhibit is held in one of the oldest art clubs Salmagundi Club in New York City (June 22nd- July 10th)

Winter Fields

The Painting Titled "Winter Fields" measures 30 X 40 inches and is acrylic on canvas. The landscape depicts winter fields he passed as he was driving down a gravel road north of Davenport. He stopped on the side of the road to take a photo. Brad said it was so cold, the wind hit his face and brought tears to his eyes, which immediately froze on his cheeks. Right them he knew he wanted to capture the feelings toward that place, both inwardly and outwardly, The Acrylic painting was done a large scale 30 X 40 inches.

Brad was extremely excited to have a one of his pieces in the exhibit because he knows from firsthand experience how difficult it is to get a piece accepted. He had entered for the past 7 years. This year is a breakthrough for him.

There are only 75 pieces accepted in the entire United States.

Biography

Brad Bisbey began drawing and painting at the age of 9 and decided early on to pursue a career in fine art, particularly painting. He graduated from St. Ambrose University with a B.A. Degree in Art. Brad also studied with renowned portrait painter Daniel Greene in Chicago. An oil painter for many years, Brad developed an allergy to oil paint and solvents and had to find another medium in which to work. Acrylic paint was a possible solution. After getting used to the acrylic, Brad wouldn't return to oil paint, even if he could. Brad lives in Moline Illinois in the same house in which he grew up. He exhibits and teaches at Bereskin Fine Art Gallery & Studio in Bucktown Center in Davenport, Iowa. He also maintains a website at bradbisbey.com. And Facebook page

Artist's Statement

For me, painting is a personal journey, a kind of visual journal of life around me. Anyone and anything is a potential subject, so I try to stay awake to everything around me. Whatever the subject, I want first to be competent with the process and the materials, but I am equally concerned with communicating how I feel about what is before me. I am always looking for that balance between reason and emotion in my work. I must first have an emotional connection with the subject because I know that if a subject touches me, it may touch another person as well. In the final analysis, my painting is both a search and a means of communication.

Brad Also exhibits and teaches classes for all ages at the Bereskin Gallery in Bucktown Center in downtown Davenport, Iowa. Call for lesson or more information 563-370-0202

http://www.gahc.org/MelanieBrown.htm

 

Tuesday, July 14 thru Sunday, July 19, 2015