The Medicare Balanced Budget Refinement Act (HR 3426), Section 107

Study and Report Regarding State Licensure and Certification Standards and Respiratory Therapy Competency Examiniations

(a) Study -- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study that:

  1. identifies variations in State licensure and certification standards for health care providers (including nursing and allied health professionals) and other individuals providing respiratory therapy in skilled nursing facilities;
  2. examines State requirements relating to respiratory therapy competency examinations for such providers and individuals; and
  3. determines whether regular respiratory therapy competency examinations or certifications should be required under the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 USC 1395 et seq.) for such providers and individuals.

(b) Report -- Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under this section, together with any recommendations for legislation that the Secretary determines to be appropriate as a results of such study.

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