On the recordSeptember 20, 2016
This bill provides needed regulatory relief for our hospitals, specifically long-term care hospitals. I am happy that the Ways and Means Committee has come together in a bipartisan effort on this bill, and I want to thank my colleague and dear friend from the Garden State, Bill Pascrell, for cosponsoring this bill with me today. H.R. 5713, the Sustaining Healthcare Integrity and Fair Treatment Act, or the SHIFT Act, will give relief to all long-term care hospitals, or LTCHs, from the 25 percent rule before it fully goes into effect next month on October 1 of this year. This CMS rule, which has been delayed for 10 years, allows for no more than 25 percent of patients to come from one inpatient acute care hospital in one quarter. My bill will reinstate the 50 percent threshold that was in effect prior to July 1, 2016, and delay the rule for 9 months. During a time when patients and healthcare providers are facing increasing burdens and higher costs, I am pleased that we could come to an agreement that will help over 400 hospitals across America. This bill will also provide relief for four specific groups of LTCHs that treat highly unique groups of patients. I was glad to work with a number of my colleagues to incorporate their bills within this bill, including Mr. Buchanan's and Mr. Pascrell's bill, H.R. 4650; Mr. Jason Smith's bill, H.R. 5559; Mr. Crowley's bill, H.R. 5614; Dr. Price's and Mr. Lewis' bill, H.R.…
