H.R. 2969 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2969 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 1, 2013 Mr. Terry (for himself and Mr. Thompson of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 provide for the recognition of attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medicare Patient Access to Hospice Act of 2013. 2. Recognition of attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients (a) Recognition of attending physician assistants as attending physicians To serve hospice patients (1) In general Section 1861(dd)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(dd)(3)(B)) is amended— (A) by striking or nurse and inserting , the nurse; and (B) by inserting , or the physician assistant (as defined in such subsection) after subsection (aa)(5)). (2) Clarification of hospice role of physician assistants Section 1814(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)(7)(A)(i)(I)) is amended by inserting or a physician assistant after a nurse practitioner. (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2014.