Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) came together last week to introduce the Medicare Patient Access to Hospice Act.
The bipartisan legislation provides an update to older Medicare laws, and would allow physician assistants to provide care to hospice patients. That practice is currently not covered by Medicare.
“Increasing patient access is essential to ensuring hospice patients receive the necessary care,” Jenkins said. “Yet, the antiquated regulations of Medicare prevent physician assistants, who are often the only primary health care providers in more rural areas, from helping terminally ill patients, even when there are no alternative options.”
Thompson said Medicare patients’ access to hospice care should not depend on location.
“In many communities, physician assistants are the only primary health care providers,” he said. “This bill will make sure that people in those areas are able to access hospice care by allowing physician assistants to look after hospice patients.”
Jenkins said her proposition is common sense.
“For years, the number of primary care physicians has been declining in more remote areas and this bill would help combat the problem so that some of the most vulnerable Kansans and Americans get the healthcare they deserve,” she said.