U.S. Rep. Phil English has introduced a bill to eliminate caps on rehabilitative therapy under Medicare, a reform he says has been delayed repeatedly by Congress but now is "affordable, doable and must be done."

English, a member of the House Ways and Means Health subcommittee, said the five-year plan would cost about $500 million and affect about 13 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries.

"These arbitrary caps single out the oldest and most frail Medicare beneficiaries who need rehabilitative services most," said English, who outlined his plan Monday at the Sharon Regional Health System Rehabilitation Center in Hermitage.

The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 set annual caps at $1,500 for occupational therapy and a combined $1,500 for physical and speech therapy, English said. Congress initially planned to get rid of the caps by the end of the last year, but in 2000 extended them through the end of this year, English said. The caps will stay in place starting next year if no congressional action is taken, he said. English said he is proposing to "permanently" eliminate the caps set in 1997.

"Patients hit with devastating illnesses such as stroke and Parkinson's disease exceed the $1,500 cap in just a few sessions, meaning any further therapy would come straight from their own pockets," English said.

"At no point should artificial fiscal caps interfere with someone's ability to lead a fulfilling life, which this therapy helps to achieve," he added.

"Whether a person receives speech, occupational or physical therapies, it should be a decision made between doctors and patients, not by accountants monitoring a set limit," English said.

English said he hopes the bill, which has 21 co-sponsors, can make its way through Congress this year.