Representatives Joe Courtney (D-CT), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) transmitted a letter on May 1 to the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requesting the inclusion of language in the FY25 House appropriations bill asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide detailed data regarding the usage of skilled nursing services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.  

The intent of the letter is to gain a better understanding of the potential impact of passing the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act (H.R.5138 / S.4137), which would apply all days spent in the hospital toward the three-day qualifying hospital stay requirement for SNF coverage under Medicare. LeadingAge strongly supports this bill and has worked closely with Rep. Courtney and his Congressional colleagues to advance this legislation in both the House and Senate. 

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Kylee Childs, MSW, is the Director of Government Affairs.Since joining the association in 2023, she continues to be a fierce and resourceful advocate for aging services in Kansas. Her professional focus has always been service to others through advocacy. Kylee has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a bachelor's degree in criminology with a minor in Conflict Analysis and Trauma studies from Kansas State University, and a certificate in Grant Proposal Writing from Fort Hays State University. With a professional background in law enforcement and child welfare, and a successful 2023 legislative practicum with the Children's Alliance of Kansas, she brings rich professional experience to her role as Director of Government Affairs, and a front-line perspective on the needs of health and human services providers in our state. When not working, she's spending time with her two daughters. You can reach Kylee directly at 785.670.8051.