Ernest Health’s CEO, Jake Socha, along with key members of the leadership team, recently made a visit to Washington, D.C. to advocate for improved access to post-acute hospital services. The timing of their visit proved fortuitous, as just days later, the “Patient Access to LTCH Care Act” (H.R. 9125) was introduced in the House of Representatives.

This newly introduced bill, which focuses on the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) payment system, is now under review by the House Ways & Means Committee. The introduction of this bill follows extensive efforts by the National Association of Long-Term Hospitals (NALTH) and other LTACH organizations, who have been advocating for these changes for more than a year. The bill is anticipated to create a substantial positive impact for patient access to LTACH services as well as provide improved reimbursement for LTACH providers. Socha and the Ernest Health team had the opportunity to engage with several Congressmen and Congresswomen who are co-sponsoring this critical legislation during their visit to the nation’s capital.

While this bill marks a significant milestone, additional related legislation has been introduced, with expectations that these bills along with H.R. 9125 could be consolidated into a broader budget or reconciliation package later this year. As Congress approaches pre-election recess periods in September and October, there is potential that an LTACH bill may be pushed into the December time period for discussions and voting.

“We are proud to have played a role in the advocacy efforts leading up to the introduction of this bill,” Socha says. “Our team remains committed to ensuring that patients have access to the high-quality care they need in LTACH facilities across the country.”

Ernest Health will continue to monitor the progress of the “Patient Access to LTCH Care Act” and related legislation, advocating for the best possible outcomes for patients and healthcare providers alike.