Hey there, friends! Today, let’s chat about some important legislative and policy priorities that are making waves in the world of sleep health. This isn’t a complete list, but it gives you a good idea of what’s happening as we work to improve sleep care and enhance overall well-being.
Federal Initiatives
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Congressional Sleep Health Caucus
We’re on a mission to get more members of Congress involved in our new caucus, which aims to push our advocacy priorities forward. -
Medicare Coverage for PAP Devices
Our goal is to tackle the tricky parts of the Medicare coverage rules for positive airway pressure (PAP) devices used in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This includes addressing the 90-day adherence rule and other confusing stipulations. -
Physician Reimbursement for Sleep Services
We want to show payers just how valuable sleep care is and why it’s crucial to provide adequate reimbursement for these services. -
Prior Authorization
Working alongside the American Medical Association, we’re advocating for reforms in the prior authorization process. We believe it’s high time to change sleep-specific policies that undermine the expertise of sleep clinicians and jeopardize patient care. -
Stark Law Reform
We’re pushing for a new exception that allows certified sleep medicine doctors to provide PAP therapy to Medicare patients with OSA and looking into innovative models for enhancing care. -
Expansion of Telemedicine Coverage
We support the expansion of telemedicine services by both public and private payers. Legislation like the Telehealth Modernization Act is a step in the right direction. -
Elimination of Daylight Saving Time
We’re backing legislation that aims to make standard time permanent nationwide, based on our position statement. We want Congress to hear the case against daylight saving time! -
Sleep Research Funding
Partnering with the Sleep Research Society, we’re advocating for increased federal funding for vital sleep and circadian research. -
Drowsy Driving
We’re all about making roads safer, which is why we support legislation that mandates screening and treatment for sleep disorders among commercial drivers. -
School Start Times
We’re pushing for later start times for middle and high schools, advocating for research-backed changes like those proposed in H.R.1861. -
Student Sleep Health Week
We’re excited to continue promoting National Student Sleep Health Week every September, as supported by H.R.1103.
State Initiatives
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Scope of Practice
We’re advocating for state dental boards to adopt policies that align with our position on home sleep apnea testing. -
Elimination of Daylight Saving Time
On a local level, we’re backing grassroots efforts to establish permanent standard time, urging Congress to discuss the impacts of daylight saving. -
School Start Times
Similar to our federal efforts, we’re supporting legislation for later start times in schools, using California SB-328 as a model.
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Let’s continue to advocate for better sleep health together! Here’s to restful nights and energized days!