Schakowsky Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Rehabilitation Centers
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the Dr. Joanne Smith Memorial Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act of 2022, which would recognize rehabilitation research facilities and the unique role they play in the health care system by driving innovative research for the entire field and serving the most medically complex patients across the country.
In the United States, there are more than 1,100 Medicare-certified inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Among these facilities are a small group of rehabilitation institutions that drive the future of rehabilitation care and medicine, as well as patient recovery. This unique category of inpatient rehabilitation institutions conducts innovative research to advance the field of rehabilitation care, train the next generation of doctors, and treat the most complex conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, childhood disease, burns, and wartime injuries.
"The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago goes above and beyond to treat patients with the most complex rehabilitation needs. Whether it is a traumatic brain injury or a third-degree burn, patients receive world class care," said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. "The Dr. Joanne Smith Memorial Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act of 2022 will federally recognize Rehabilitation Innovation Centers across the country, ensuring that industry best practices and new research is disseminated broadly to ensure the maximum number of patients can benefit. Dr. Joanne Smith devoted her entire career to helping patients, it is fitting that we honor her legacy with this legislation."
Dr. Joanne Smith was a visionary leader and the driving force behind transforming the delivery of care in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Smith was President and Chief Executive Officer of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago or RIC) since 2006. She led the organization in its mission to provide the best patient outcomes through the highest-quality clinical care, translational research, scientific discovery and education. In addition to her leadership at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Dr. Smith was a faculty member at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a member of several professional organizations.
"We applaud Rep. Schakowsky and others for their support of the Dr. Joanne Smith Memorial Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act of 2022, and we look forward to working with them to ensure passage of the bill before the end of the 117th Congress," said Nancy Paridy, president and chief administrative officer, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. "By formally designating a cohort of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals as industry leaders in research and teaching, these organizations will in turn advance innovation and technology, disseminating best practices broadly throughout the field to positively impact patients' recoveries."
Specifically, the Dr. Joanne Smith Memorial Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act of 2022:
Defines "Rehabilitation Innovation Center" as a rehabilitation facility that provides care for patients with highly complex conditions, conducts multidisciplinary rehabilitation research, and educates a high number of medical residents.
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disseminate best practices and lessons from these facilities and conduct a study on the adequacy of current payment rates for Rehabilitation Innovation Centers. As our federal health care system moves away from the fee-for-service payment model toward more value-based care, the study directed by this legislation will shape the analysis of reimbursement for post-acute care providers and Rehabilitation Innovation Centers.
Joining Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) as original cosponsors of the Dr. Joanne Smith Memorial Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act of 2022 are Reps. Darin LaHood (IL-18), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Marie Newman (IL-03), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Sean Casten (IL-06), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Mike Bost (IL-12), and Rodney Davis (IL-13).
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