Enabling More of the Physical and Occupational Workforce to Engage in Rehabilitation Act
S 2459 (the EMPOWER Act) prevents Medicare from imposing federal supervision requirements for outpatient physical and occupational therapy that differ from existing state laws. It modifies Medicare payment rules (Social Security Act sections 1834(v)(1) and 1861(p)) to ensure federal oversight aligns with state regulations, directly affecting therapists and clinics providing these services. The bill also mandates a GAO study on how a 15% payment differential for therapy assistants impacts access in rural and underserved areas, requiring a report with recommendations by December 2025. The changes take effect July 1, 2024.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jul 25, 2023
Last action Jul 25, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jul 25, 2023
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
upper
Jul 25, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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