United Spinal Association is urging stakeholders to act swiftly to prevent sweeping Medicaid cuts that are part of the Trump administration’s so-called “one big, beautiful bill” that advanced out of the budget committee on Sunday night, May 18, according to a report from PBS. The association said in a May 16 bulletin that the bill…
United Spinal Reacts to Proposed Medicaid Cuts, Urges Stakeholders to Act
United Spinal Launches Effort to Restore SCIRP Funding in 2026
The Spinal Cord Injury Research Program at the Department of Defense was eliminated in March.
United Spinal Association is urging stakeholders to join the fight to restore funding for the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) in 2026. “On March 15, the Spinal Cord Injury Research Program at the Department of Defense was eliminated,” United Spinal said in a May 1 bulletin. “There was no notice.…
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…
CMS Classifies TAI as Prosthetic Devices, Updates Funding Policy
The change could help wheelchair riders with neurogenic bowel symptoms.
A new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy change has opened the door to reimbursement for transanal irrigation devices (TAI), catheters and accessories. United Spinal Association reported on Feb. 13 that CMS published a positive Benefit Category Determination for TAI, catheters and accessories on Jan. 13. United Spinal said CMS now considers this…
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…
ITEM Coalition Sends 75/25 Reimbursement Rate Letter to Congressional Leaders
More than 30 advocacy organizations urged Congress to improve funding rates for home medical equipment.
The ITEM Coalition has sent a letter to Congressional leaders to urge their support for the reinstatement of the Medicare 75/25 blended reimbursement rate for home medical equipment. In a Dec. 2 letter, the ITEM Coalition noted that the expiration of the 75/25 reimbursement rate in January has hurt patient access to durable medical equipment…
‘Dear Colleague’ House Letter Urges CMS to Open Coverage Determination for Power Standing
The deadline for representatives to sign onto the letter is Sept. 27.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) have penned another “Dear Colleague” letter asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to open a coverage determination for power standing on power wheelchairs. “Please contact your U.S. representative today and urge them to sign on to the Dingell/Fitzpatrick Congressional sign-on letter urging CMS…
VGM Announces New VP of Government Relations
The new executive served previously in the orthotics and prosthetics industry.
VGM & Associates has appointed Adam Miller to be its new vice president of government affairs. In a Sept. 4 news announcement, VGM noted that Miller previously served as president of VGM’s Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America. In his new role, Miller “will spearhead strategic engagement with VGM communities, aligning policy and practice with…
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…