Bill Summary
The "Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2025" aims to enhance and streamline access to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs for Medicare beneficiaries. The legislation amends the Social Security Act, specifically sections related to these rehabilitation programs, to broaden the range of healthcare providers who can prescribe and oversee rehabilitation exercises.
Key provisions include:
1. **Expanded Provider Eligibility**: The Act allows physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to participate in the rehabilitation process, alongside physicians.
2. **Access in Various Settings**: The legislation facilitates access to rehabilitation services beyond traditional physician offices, enabling patients to receive care in more flexible settings.
3. **Implementation Timeline**: The changes will take effect six months after the enactment of the Act, ensuring timely access to improved rehabilitation services for patients with cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
Overall, this legislation is designed to make rehabilitation services more accessible, thereby improving health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with cardiovascular and pulmonary issues.
Possible Impacts
The "Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2025" could have several impacts on individuals, particularly those who are eligible for Medicare and may require cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Access to Rehabilitation Services**: By allowing nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists to prescribe rehabilitation exercises and oversee programs, more patients may have access to these vital services. This could be particularly beneficial in rural or underserved areas where there may be a shortage of physicians, increasing the likelihood that individuals can participate in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
2. **Improved Health Outcomes**: The expansion of accessible cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs could lead to better health outcomes for patients recovering from heart and lung conditions. With more healthcare providers able to participate in the care process, patients may receive timely guidance and support in managing their conditions, potentially reducing the risk of future health complications, hospitalizations, and improving overall quality of life.
3. **Potential Economic Impact**: By increasing the number of healthcare professionals who can prescribe and oversee rehabilitation programs, the legislation may lead to a rise in employment opportunities within the healthcare sector. This could benefit healthcare workers like nurse practitioners and physician assistants who may find expanded roles in providing care, as well as potentially lowering healthcare costs for patients through improved management of chronic conditions and decreased reliance on more expensive acute care services.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6894 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6894
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand and expedite
access to cardiac rehabilitation programs and pulmonary rehabilitation
programs under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 18, 2025
Ms. Sewell (for herself and Mr. Smith of Nebraska) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand and expedite
access to cardiac rehabilitation programs and pulmonary rehabilitation
programs under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac
Rehabilitation Care Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. EXPANDING ACCESS TO CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AND
PULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS UNDER MEDICARE PROGRAM.
(a) Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs.--Section 1861(eee) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(eee)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``a
physician's office'' and inserting ``the office
setting''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting after
``physician'' the following: ``(as defined in
subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse
practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those
terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5))'';
(2) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``physician-prescribed
exercise'' and inserting ``exercise prescribed by a physician
(as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant,
nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those
terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5))''; and
(3) in paragraph (5), by inserting after ``physician'' the
following: ``(as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician
assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as
those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5))''.
(b) Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs.--Section 1861(fff) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(fff)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``physician-prescribed
exercise'' and inserting ``exercise prescribed by a physician
(as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant,
nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those
terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5))''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting after ``physician'' the
following: ``(as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician
assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as
those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5))''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after the date
that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
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