Reps. James McGovern (D-Mass.) and Tom Price (R-Ga.) introduced a bill Sept. 28 that would impose a one-year moratorium on the pre-claim review demonstration that currently is roiling the home health industry in  Illinois. The bill would require CMS to report to Congress on the impact of the demo on patients, agencies, physicians and Medicare spending.
 
GovTrack, a nonprofit bill tracking service, gives the bill a 3% chance of being enacted.
 
Sen. Dick Durbin, for his part, is “collecting information and data" on how the pre-claim review demonstration in his home state of Illinois is affecting patients and home health providers, an aide says.
 
Durbin will continue to be in touch with CMS to ensure Medicare beneficiaries in Illinois have continued patient access to “medically necessary, cost-effective” home health services while maintaining program integrity, the aide adds. 
 
As a member of the Senate’s Democratic leadership, Durbin enjoys more clout than the average senator. In addition, 116 Democratic and Republican lawmakers signed a letter in May urging CMS to halt the demo.