Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2025
Summary
H.R. 6894, the "Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2025," aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The goal is to expand and expedite access to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under Medicare. The bill broadens the scope of healthcare professionals who can prescribe and supervise these rehabilitation programs.
Expected Effects
This bill will likely increase the number of Medicare beneficiaries who can access cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. By including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists, the bill aims to overcome existing bottlenecks in access to care. This could lead to improved health outcomes for individuals with cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs for Medicare beneficiaries.
- Allows physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to prescribe and supervise rehabilitation programs, potentially reducing wait times.
- May improve health outcomes for individuals with cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
- Could lead to more efficient use of healthcare resources by utilizing a wider range of qualified professionals.
- Updates the language to 'office setting' which may allow for more flexibility in where services are provided.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs to the Medicare program due to expanded access.
- Possible concerns about the quality of care if non-physician practitioners are not adequately trained or supervised.
- May require additional training and resources for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists.
- Could face resistance from some physicians who may view this as an encroachment on their scope of practice.
- The effective date being 6 months after enactment could delay immediate access for those in need.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's broad mandate to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). Congress has the power to legislate regarding Medicare under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1), allowing them to set the terms and conditions for the program. The expansion of healthcare access through Medicare aligns with the federal government's role in providing for the well-being of its citizens.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).