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Preserving Patient Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals Act of 2005

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8319-8320)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 14, 2005

Preserving Patient Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals Act of 2005 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, during the period between July 1, 2005, and the date two years after the enactment of this Act, from: (1) requiring a compliance rate, pursuant to the criterion (commonly known as the "75 percent rule") used to determine whether a hospital or hospital unit is an inpatient rehabilitation facility, that is greater than the 50 percent compliance threshold that became effective on July 1, 2004; (2) changing the designation of any inpatient rehabilitation facility in compliance with the 50 percent threshold; or (3) conducting medical necessity review of inpatient rehabilitation facilities using any guidelines other than the national criteria established in the Medicare Benefits Policy Manual.

Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for: (1) making any necessary retroactive adjustment to restore the status of a facility as an inpatient rehabilitation facility as a result of this Act; (2) making any necessary payments to inpatient rehabilitation facilities based on such adjustment for discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2005, and before enactment of this Act; and (3) developing and implementing an appeals process that provides for expedited review of any adjustment to the status of a facility as an inpatient rehabilitation facility made during such period

Directs the Secretary to establish the National Advisory Council on Medical Rehabilitation to provide advice and recommendations to: (1) Congress and the Secretary concerning the coverage of rehabilitation services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) appropriate federal agencies on how best to utilize available research funds and authorities focused on medical rehabilitation research.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Nelson, Ben [D-NE] · D–NE

Committees

  • Finance Committee
27 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8319-8320)

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8318-8319)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Source last updated: Nov 28, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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