February 25, 2025
Mrs. Capito (for herself and Ms. Klobuchar) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
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.