Washington Update

• U.S. Rep. John Peterson (R-PA) said last week he hopes to eliminate the upcoming 15% cut in home healthcare agencies’ Medicare reimbursements. Peterson is co-authoring a bill, called the Home Health Payment Fairness Act, that if passed will eliminate the planned reduction in home health payments, reported the Centre Daily Times of State College, PA. "It’s hanging over the heads of agencies that are fighting to stay alive," Peterson said. "It’s like having a death warrant." Donald McClure, director of government affairs at the Pennsylvania Association of Home Health Agencies, said there is a definite "threat of losing home care in this country."