Van Duyne Leads Bipartisan Healthcare Effort to Change SFP

In an attempt to work across the aisle, Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R) has joined a bipartisan effort in calling for the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to change the Special Forces Program (SFP).

In a tweet, Rep. Van Duyne explained her stance on the issue.

“I’ve continued to work with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, especially my friend Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), to improve hospice care. Recently, we led a charge to ensure the Special Focus Program will be implemented in a way that prioritizes quality of care.”

Along with Earl Blumenhauer, Rep. Van Duyne was joined by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH). The lawmakers’ main qualm with the SFP is that it is not adequately equipped to identify the poor-performing hospices that need the program’s services.

“We are committed to ensuring that the HOSPICE Act is implemented in a manner that aligns with congressional intent to improve the quality of care delivered to Medicare beneficiaries nearing the end of life,” wrote the lawmakers.

“Unfortunately, we believe the design for the Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP) that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed in its Calendar Year 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule (CMS-1780-P) would, if finalized, not adequately identify hospices that are truly struggling with performance.”

The Texas representative further explained her position, stating that she was in the process of communicating with various healthcare providers that desired regulations.

“There are opportunities to start making additional regulations. But before we start our policy in place, my first thought right now is talking to more of those people who are providing this critical care, because what I’ve seen so far is that care providers are desperate for regulations,” said Rep. Van Duyne.

“But they don’t want to get lumped in with bad actors, and they don’t want us creating needless regulations that are going to hamper their ability to do that care.”

In other news, Congress has officially voted to remove California Representative Kevin McCarthy (R) from his position as Speaker of the House after Florida Representative Matt Gaetz (R) filed a motion against him.

The position was declared vacant after Congress reached a 216-210 vote. Many House Republicans voted to keep Rep. McCarthy but the combination of the group of often-dissenting Republicans known as the “Freedom Caucus” and House Democrats was too much to overcome for those in favor of McCarthy.