WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has introduced legislation (S. 3447) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act "to establish a program to allow qualified group practices to furnish certain items and services at qualified skilled nursing facilities to individuals entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B of the Medicare program to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations." The bill was introduced on March 11 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md.  more