BobbyB
07-16-2008, 07:00 PM
It's Official!
Victory on Power Chairs and Medicare Coverage
It's official! After more than two years of outreach to Congress, we can declare victory in the fight to ensure access to power wheelchairs. Last night Congress voted to override the President's veto of Medicare legislation that would exclude high-end power wheelchairs from Medicare's competitive bidding program. This victory means that people with ALS and our Chapters no longer need to worry that competitive bidding will limit the types of chairs available to PALS or reduce access to needed services and suppliers. The bill is now law!
Key Provisions also Included
In addition to competitive bidding, the bill enacted into law includes a number of other critical provisions important to people with ALS and which the Advocacy Department promoted with Members of Congress. These provisions provide important protections to people with ALS, improve coverage for prescription drugs under the Medicare program and help ensure access to other critical Medicare benefits, like physical therapy. The key provisions of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (HR 6331) include:
Ensures Access to Power Wheelchairs
Improves Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Provides Additional Coverage for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology Services
Improves Access to the Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
Additional details on these provisions is available by clicking this link.
We would like to again thank advocates across the country for reaching out to Congress and educating them about the unique needs of people with ALS. The overwhelming vote, 70-26 in the Senate and 383-41 in the House, is a testament to the effectiveness of your outreach and our strategic efforts to enact this important legislation.
If you have any questions or would like additional information about this important victory, please contact the Advocacy Department at advocacy@alsa-national.org or 1-877-444-ALSA.
Victory on Power Chairs and Medicare Coverage
It's official! After more than two years of outreach to Congress, we can declare victory in the fight to ensure access to power wheelchairs. Last night Congress voted to override the President's veto of Medicare legislation that would exclude high-end power wheelchairs from Medicare's competitive bidding program. This victory means that people with ALS and our Chapters no longer need to worry that competitive bidding will limit the types of chairs available to PALS or reduce access to needed services and suppliers. The bill is now law!
Key Provisions also Included
In addition to competitive bidding, the bill enacted into law includes a number of other critical provisions important to people with ALS and which the Advocacy Department promoted with Members of Congress. These provisions provide important protections to people with ALS, improve coverage for prescription drugs under the Medicare program and help ensure access to other critical Medicare benefits, like physical therapy. The key provisions of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (HR 6331) include:
Ensures Access to Power Wheelchairs
Improves Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Provides Additional Coverage for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology Services
Improves Access to the Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
Additional details on these provisions is available by clicking this link.
We would like to again thank advocates across the country for reaching out to Congress and educating them about the unique needs of people with ALS. The overwhelming vote, 70-26 in the Senate and 383-41 in the House, is a testament to the effectiveness of your outreach and our strategic efforts to enact this important legislation.
If you have any questions or would like additional information about this important victory, please contact the Advocacy Department at advocacy@alsa-national.org or 1-877-444-ALSA.