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…
DMEPOS Relief Act, H.R. 2005, Introduced in U.S. House
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…
United Spinal ‘Closely Following’ Executive Orders Impacting People with Disabilities
President Trump’s executive order could impact funding for Medicaid and other programs.
United Spinal Association is keeping a watchful eye on health-care and disability funding policies that could change due to executive orders from President Trump. “Our policy and advocacy team is gathering all the facts about the orders and resulting policies that impact our community,” said United Spinal President/CEO Vincenzo Piscopo in a Feb. 3 bulletin…
American Airlines Fined $50 Million for Mistreating Wheelchair Riders, Mobility Devices
Department of Transportation fine is the largest penalty assessed against an airline for violating disability regulations.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined American Airlines $50 million for mistreating passengers using wheelchairs, and for mishandling those passengers’ wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. The DOT made the announcement in late October and noted that the fine “is 25 times larger than any previous DOT penalty against an airline for violating disability…
Senate Companion Bill Introduced for Ultralightweight Frame Upgrade
S. 5154, like its House counterpart, would be budget neutral for taxpayers, NCART said.
A companion bill to H.R. 5371 — the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, which would provide a path for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade their ultralightweight wheelchair frames — has been introduced in the Senate. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced S. 5154 on Sept. 24, the day of the legislative fly-in…
AAHomecare Focuses on H.R. 5371 at Congressional Fly-In
The Choices for Increased Mobility bill would provide a way for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade to carbon fiber and titanium ultralightweight wheelchair frames.
Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) stakeholders at a Sept. 10 Congressional fly-in urged Congress to support H.R. 5371, a bill to provide Medicare beneficiaries a path for upgrading their ultralightweight wheelchair frames to carbon fiber or titanium at their own cost. In a Sept. 18 news announcement, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) reported that advocates…
Advocates to Lobby for H.R. 5371 at Two September Fly-Ins
Both legislative events will focus on ultralightweight frame upgrades for Medicare beneficiaries.
Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) stakeholders will focus on building Congressional support for H.R. 5371, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, at two Washington, D.C., fly-ins in September. The Sept. 9-10 legislative event is being led by the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare). The Sept. 24 fly-in is being hosted by the National Coalition for Assistive…
Tennessee House and Senate Pass CRT Preventive Maintenance Bill
The new legislation also addresses consumers’ right to repair and providers’ service requirements.
The Tennessee House of Representatives has unanimously passed HB 2147, a bill governing maintenance and repair policies for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) wheelchairs. An April 25 bulletin from the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) noted that the House’s passage clears the way for Gov. Bill Lee to sign the measure into law. AAHomecare added that…