S 37
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 37
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the
restriction that a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker provide
services in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility to a
patient only under the care of a physician.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 25 (legislative day, January 5), 2011
Mr. INOUYE introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the
restriction that a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker provide
services in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility to a
patient only under the care of a physician.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Autonomy for Psychologists and Social
Workers Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. REMOVAL OF RESTRICTION THAT A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST OR CLINICAL
SOCIAL WORKER PROVIDE SERVICES IN A COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION
FACILITY TO A PATIENT ONLY UNDER THE CARE OF A PHYSICIAN.
(a) In General- Section 1861(cc)(2)(E) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395x(cc)(2)(E)) is amended by striking `physician' and inserting
`physician, except that a patient receiving qualified psychologist services
(as defined in subsection (ii)) may be under the care of a clinical
psychologist with respect to such services to the extent permitted under
State law and except that a patient receiving clinical social worker
services (as defined in subsection (hh)(2)) may be under the care of
a clinical social worker with respect to such services to the extent
permitted under State law'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply
to services provided on or after January 1, 2012.
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