REBECCA MACTAGGART

Met with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in support of insurance coverage of bowel management supplies. Engaged with CMS contractors on the need for coverage of certain ostomy supplies. United Spinal supported a letter to members of the U. S. House of Representatives sent to The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator! Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to follow-up from their June 2023 letter to again express their gratitude for the recent decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover seat elevation systems in Group 3 power wheelchairs under Medicare. The Members also expressed continued concern that CMS has not yet initiated a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for standing systems in these wheelchairs. United Spinal endorsed a CPR/HAB Coalition comment letter in response to the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2026 Proposed Rule. United Spinal endorsed a CPR comment letter "Proposed Data Collection on Proprietary Guidelines and Medicare Advantage Plan Audit Protocol". United Spinal supports the S. 5070, the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act and signed onto a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities coalition letter in support.

United Spinal supported the Senate letter from Senators Blackburn, Casey and Duckworth. Their letter read in part, we remain concerned that CMS has not yet initiated a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for standing systems in these wheelchairs. As you know, standing systems in Group 3 power wheelchairs offer essential benefits to individuals with severe disabilities. These systems enable users to achieve a standing position, which can greatly enhance their independence, improve metabolic functions, reduce the risk of secondary complications, such as pressure sores and osteoporosis, and improve their overall physical and mental well-being. The absence of Medicare coverage for these systems leaves many beneficiaries without access to critical technology that can significantly improve their health outcomes and quality of life." Requested Senators to sign on. Met with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in support of insurance coverage of bowel management supplies. Urge CMS to lift 'in the home' restriction under Medicare and Social Security Act language for wheelchairs. Support Medicare coverage for standing systems wheelchairs. Implement wheelchair repair and service reforms under Medicare, namely, remove prior authorization requirement for wheelchair repair for all health programs; allow for consumer self-repair for certain items on customized wheelchairs; and insurance should pay for preventative maintenance coverage (at least once every 6 months). Seek FY25 Appropriations programmatic report language: Medicare should provide coverage for individuals to obtain wheelchairs that allow them to integrate safely in both their communities and their homes. The Committee directs CMS to update the 2005 National Coverage Determination under Medicare for Mobility Assistive Equipment (MAE) by adding, and/or in the community" after "in the home. And urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide Medicare coverage for standing systems in power wheelchairs to facilitate increased options for independent and community living for all wheelchair users. United Spinal Association supported a House Dear Colleague letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to express our support for the recent preliminary decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to increase the number of billing codes for intermittent catheters. As a Steering Committee member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation, United Spinal endorsed a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (Proposed Rule) dicussedin issues arond access to care for people with disabilities in general, telehealth and oral and dental health services.

United Spinal Association supports: H.R. 3935/S. 1939 Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act/FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 United Spinal Association supports full inclusion of all of the provisions contained in H.R. 1267/ S. 545, the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (ACAAA) and H.R. 1499 / S. 753, the Good Jobs for Good Airports (GJGA) Act. As one of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) Advisory Committee recommendations: a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Public Awareness Campaign to Ensure Air Travelers with Disabilities Know Their Rights - United Spinal partcipated and provided recommendations. United Spinal Association supported is participating in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) ongoing efforts to launch a new database, Aviation Complaint, Enforcement, and Reporting System (ACERS). In support of Democratic Committee Members of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure letter sent to Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO Nicholas Calio expressing concern and dismay regarding the continued trend of mishandled wheelchairs and scooters.

United Spinal responded to the Federal Communications Commissions The Reinstatement of Net Neutrality Rules (Docket No. 23-320) with comments. Which reads in part, Unfortunately, for the millions of people whom United Spinal represents, in too short a timeframe, the FCC has opined and acted on the need for dramatically more and dramatically less regulation with diametrically opposed voices. United Spinal supports H.R. 6929, The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, introduced by Representative Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-9). The bill would provide $7 billion to fund the ACP through FY24.

Urge CMS to lift 'in the home' restriction under Medicare and Social Security Act language for wheelchairs. Support Medicare coverage for standing systems wheelchairs. Seek FY25 Appropriations programmatic report language: Medicare should provide coverage for individuals to obtain wheelchairs that allow them to integrate safely in both their communities and their homes. The Committee directs CMS to update the 2005 National Coverage Determination under Medicare for Mobility Assistive Equipment (MAE) by adding, and/or in the community" after "in the home. And urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide Medicare coverage for standing systems in power wheelchairs to facilitate increased options for independent and community living for all wheelchair users. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services United Spinal, along with numerous other disability and disability related organizations, as members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition and other supporting organizations that endorsed our original request in 2020 for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for Medicare coverage of seat elevation and standing systems in power wheelchairs, we write to reaffirm our request for CMS to expeditiously open an NCA for standing systems in Group 3 power wheelchairs, which are classified by Medicare as complex rehabilitative technology (CRT) wheelchair.

United Spinal supports Increased funding for SCI Model Systems. This program is long overdue for a significant funding increase that considers inflation and the approximate 50% growth in the SCI population since 2000 (from approximately 200,000 to more than 300,000) - $16.8 million. Increased funding for the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), which serves as the premier source of spinal cord injury-related statistical data in the United States - $1.8 million. Increased funding for the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC), the MSKTC works with the NSCISC and the SCI Model Systems on research and translating the data into useful fact sheets on various topics related to spinal cord injury that are used not only in the United States but globally - $2.1 million. United Spinal staff met with staff with the Senate Aging Committee to provide information for an appropriations support letter for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. United Spinal endorsed comments on the Medicare Advantage proposed rule as a Steering Committee member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation and United Spinal endorsed comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters proposed rule as a Steering Committee member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid Coalition.

UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION