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…
Senate Companion Bill Introduced for Ultralightweight Frame Upgrade
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…
Briefly: Senate Companion Bill to H.R. 5371 Expected Soon; Paris Closes Paralympics Games
Featuring AAHomecare, Medtrade, and the International Paralympic Committee.
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…
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,…