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The “Stabilizing Medicare Access to Rehabilitation and Therapy Act” (SMART Act) was introduced by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) in the United States House of Representatives. This legislation would delay and mitigate the impact of a looming 15% cut to Medicare Part B services provided by occupational therapy assistants.

The Expanded Telehealth Access Act (H.R. 2168/S.3193), which was introduced by Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and David McKinley (R-WV) in the House, and Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Tina Smith (D-MN) in the Senate. This bill would specifically allow occupational therapy as well as other therapy services to be provided to Medicare beneficiaries via telehealth after the COVID-19 public health emergency expires. 

OT practitioners report that telehealth has reduced delays to care while making it easier to connect with beneficiary caregivers and enabling easier identification of home safety issues. This can be crucial in preventing falls, addressing functional decline, and avoiding costly emergency room visits and hospital admissions—which in turn can reduce the cost of care. 

The bipartisan Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act (H.R. 3320/S. 1679) introduced by Reps. Bobby Rush (IL-01) and Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) in the House, and Sens. Bob Casey (PA) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) in the Senate, provides grant funding to increase opportunities for individuals who are from underrepresented backgrounds, including students from racial and ethnic minorities, in the professions of occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, speech language pathology, and audiology.

Having a more diverse workforce helps close the gap on provider shortages, while improving the ability of the health care workforce to effectively address the health care needs of all Americans.

The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act (S.1578/H.R.3150) aims to increase the number of mental health professionals working in underserved areas by providing loan forgiveness to mental health professionals who practice in designated shortage areas. This legislation, introduced by Sens. Tina Smith (D-MN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Reps. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) and John Katko (R-NY), includes occupational therapists in the list of behavioral health professionals eligible to receive this loan forgiveness.