Report: Sen. Marsha Blackburn to Introduce Ultralightweight Upgrade Bill Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is preparing to introduce a Senate bill “that would restore access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries and for individuals covered by plans that follow Medicare policy and coding,” according to a report from the American Association for Homecare…
Briefly: Senate Companion Bill to H.R. 5371 Expected Soon; Paris Closes Paralympics Games
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…
Briefly: TiLite Celebrates Silver Anniversary; Germany’s Sesame Street Introduces Muppet in Wheelchair
Featuring Permobil, TiLite, and Sesame Street.
TiLite Celebrates 25th Anniversary TiLite, Permobil’s brand of ultralightweight wheelchairs, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. TiLite wheelchairs, under the TiSport manufacturer name, went on sale in 1999. In 2014, the company was acquired by Permobil. Permobil currently offers TiLite frames in aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. TiLite chairs, known for their custom configurability, are available…
Briefly: A First at Roland Garros; Toddlers Take on the World
Featuring the French Open, Motion Composites, Tulane University, Tikkun Olam Makers, and MakeGood.
Line Judge Works French Open from a Wheelchair Lucas Feron has become the first official to work a tennis Grand Slam event in a wheelchair. Feron, 28, was a line judge during the French Open this month, according to reports from the BBC and ESPN, among other outlets. Feron, who sustained neurological injuries in a…
Permobil CR1 Wins Design Awards
Principal Product Manager Doug Garven designed the ultralightweight wheelchair over a five-year period.
Permobil’s TiLite CR1 ultralightweight wheelchair and its designer, Permobil Principal Product Manager Doug Garven, have won two international awards. In a June 11 news announcement, Permobil said Garven and the CR1 won gold in the A’Design Award & Competition’s 2023-2024 Product Engineering and Technical Design Award category. The A’Design Award is described as “an international,…
NCART, US Rehab Set Sept. 24 Fly-In Date
The in-person event in Washington, D.C., will rally support for Complex Rehab Technology issues.
The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) and U.S. Rehab will cohost a Washington, D.C. legislative event on Sept. 24. In its newsletter issued May 30, NCART described the event as taking place in person and “focusing on educating members of Congress about the current economic issues challenging NCART members as they focus…
Commentary: Once Again, Wheelchairs Considered Second-Class Solutions
Medicare is now funding personal exoskeletons. But what’s so wrong about rolling?
In April, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Medicare coverage for personal exoskeletons. ReWalk (DBA: Lifeward), an exoskeleton manufacturer, praised the decision: “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has officially revised its April 2024 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) fee schedule to include a final lump-sum Medicare purchase…
Editor’s Note: Abilities Expo Kicks Off in Los Angeles
The consumer show series has plenty to offer professionals, as well.
The Los Angeles Abilities Expo — the series’ first stop of 2024 — provided the perfect start to my Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) event year. Yes, the Abilities Expo is a consumer-focused show series. But even as an event that focuses on families, the Abilities Expo’s Los Angeles stop had plenty to offer CRT professionals,…
Barbie Goes to Seating Clinic
Assessing her ultralight … and her impact on pediatric mobility.
A few minutes before our 9:30 a.m. appointment, I launched Google Meet and turned on the camera. My friend — a ridiculously beautiful blonde with big blue eyes and a perfect smile — sat in her current wheelchair, an ultralight with a purple frame. For clinic, she was dressed in a fuchsia one-shouldered top and…
Top Trends & Headlines for Complex Rehab Technology in 2024
Building on successes and addressing unfinished business.
With every new year come new possibilities, and 2024 seems especially full of promise for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), which looks to build on a landmark Medicare funding win last year. Still, the year will bring challenges as well, and plenty of unfinished business. Funding for seat elevation gets underway In May 2023, the formal…