CRT Update Webinar Planned for March 27 The rescheduled Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry update webinar sponsored by U.S. Rehab and the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) will take place on Thursday, March 27, starting at 11 a.m. Eastern time. Future-Proofing Complex Rehab Technology: Strategies for Growth and Protection in 2025 will…
Briefly: CRT Update Webinar Rescheduled for March 27; ISS to Partner with the Abilities Expo
United Spinal Calls for Medicaid Stories from Wheelchair Riders
Medicaid funding cuts put beneficiaries’ livelihood and health at risk, the advocacy group said.
United Spinal Association is asking wheelchair riders to share what Medicaid coverage means to them. In a March 19 bulletin to stakeholders, United Spinal announced its new Medicaid Stories campaign, which the organization says is “centered on real-life experiences from the disability community. This campaign aims to educate the public, media and elected officials about…
International Briefly: ‘Standing’ Voting Method Ended in French National Assembly; At-Home MS Dosing Offered in England, Wales
Featuring the National Assembly of France, the National Health Service, and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.
France’s National Assembly Abolishes ‘Sitting and Standing’ Voting Method Thanks to the efforts of French politician and wheelchair rider Sébastien Peytavie, the National Assembly has discontinued its par assis et levé (“sitting and standing”) voting method because it excludes people who are unable to stand. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly, said afterward on…
United Spinal Launches Advocacy Impact Fund to Protect Disability Rights
Association references recent threats, including possible Medicaid cuts and airlines’ lawsuit.
United Spinal Association has created an Advocacy Impact Fund in response to multiple new threats to disability rights and programs that support people with disabilities. “United Spinal is fighting to protect decades of progress toward accessibility and disability inclusion that are under threat by cuts to Medicaid, attacks on accessible air travel, and efforts to…
DMEPOS Relief Act, H.R. 2005, Introduced in U.S. House
New bill seeks to restore Mediare 75/25 blended reimbursement rate.
A bill to provide Medicare funding relief to many home medical equipment (HME) providers has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa). H.R. 2005, the DMEPOS [durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies] Relief Act of 2025, seeks “a 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for DMEPOs in non-rural/non-competitive bidding…
Ultralightweight Wheelchair Upgrades on the Agenda at AAHomecare’s Expanded Legislative Conference
The conference is scheduled for May 12-13.
Carbon and titanium upgrade legislation will be among the talking points at this May’s legislative conference hosted by the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare). AAHomecare noted in a March 5 announcement that 2025 “has ushered in a new administration and major leadership changes on Congressional committees of jurisdiction for health-care finance issues. Our industry must…
Bill for Medicare Carbon Fiber, Titanium Upgrades Introduced in House
The bill would make upgrading ultralightweight frames more accessible for Medicare beneficiaries
A bill that would provide a more accessible pathway for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade to carbon fiber or titanium ultralightweight wheelchairs has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 1703 was introduced on Feb. 27 by Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). It’s described on the Congress.gov website as amending…
Airlines Sue Over DOT Rule Strengthening Protections for Wheelchair Riders
The rule, which began taking effect in January, holds airlines accountable for wheelchair damage and delays.
Five U.S. airlines have filed a lawsuit asking the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (New Orleans) to review the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers for Disabilities Using Wheelchairs rule. On Feb. 18, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways Corp., Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines asked the court…
Briefly: RFK Jr. Sworn in as HHS Secretary; DAV Hiring Guide Offers Best Practices
Featuring the Department of Health & Human Services and Disabled American Veterans.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sworn in as HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been sworn in as the 26th secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Kennedy was sworn on Feb. 13, following Senate confirmation along party lines. As NPR reported, Democrats opposed Kennedy’s “conspiracy theories” linking vaccines to autism…
NCART Recaps 2024 Achievements, Sets Slate for 2025
Repair reform and Medicare coverage for power standing top the priorities list.
The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) has recapped its 2024 successes while also setting its priorities for 2025. In a Feb. 7 newsletter to members, NCART said, “When NCART was formed, the focus was on federal legislation to protect CRT [Complex Rehab Technology] by keeping it out of competitive bidding. Mission accomplished!…