WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Pete Olson (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX) today introduced legislation to recognize the contributions of rehabilitation innovation centers that serve a unique role in treating complex rehabilitation needs across the United States. Olson and Green introduced H.R. 4582, the Preserving Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have also introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
Rep. Pete Olson said, “Rehabilitation Innovation Centers are leaders in complex medical fields and partner with institutions and hospitals across the country. These centers support technology transfers, the sharing of research findings, and best practices through collaborative relationships that benefit their patients. Memorial Herman TIRR in Houston, Texas is one of these centers doing great work for patients with extremely difficult cases. To have the Department of Health and Human Services recognize these rehabilitation innovation centers based on specific metrics will encourage others to improve their quality of care, which will further help patients with complex rehabilitation needs. I thank my friend Gene Green for working with me on this important issue and hope we can get this bill to the House floor soon.”
Rep. Gene Green said, “Rehabilitation Innovation Centers serve a unique and vital role in our health care system. They not only treat patients with the most complex rehabilitation needs, they innovate and drive the future of rehabilitation research. This bill will help support the nation’s leading research-oriented rehabilitation hospitals and ultimately, the people they serve from all corners of the country. I want to thank my colleague, Representative Pete Olson for his commitment to this issue.”
H.R. 4582 ensures that the nation’s leading inpatient research-oriented rehabilitation hospitals are recognized for the cutting-edge care they provide to the highest need patients. It recognizes the unique role these inpatient rehabilitation research hospitals play in advancing innovation, research, and technology in the medical rehabilitation field. Reps. Mike Doyle (PA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA), Alan Lowenthal (CA), Bill Foster (IL) and Danny Davis (IL) are original cosponsors of H.R. 4582.