United Spinal supported and participated in the U.S. Department of Transportations Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) on-going efforts to launch a new database, Aviation Complaint, Enforcement, and Reporting System (ACERS). United Spinal policy staff participated in the U.S. Department of Transportations periodic Disability Rights Advocacy meeting. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, wrote to Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, to respectfully request that the U.S. Department of Transportation (Department) protect the safety and dignity of air travel passengers with disabilities who use wheelchairs and scooters in air travel by maintaining the provisions in the final rule titled, Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers with Disabilities Using Wheelchairs (Rule) (DOT-OST-2022-0144). We also urged the Department to refrain from imposing any new regulatory burdens on disabled veterans and all passengers with disabilities in air travel.
United Spinal continues to oppose H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, for the adverse effects it will have on people with disabilities, especially in cutting Medicaid programs and benefits. United Spinal continues to advocate about the concerns we have about the major restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services programs. We want to make sure that critical programs, services, and funding for the disability and aging communities, such as the Centers for Independent Living, Home and Community-Based Services and the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) are not negatively impacted. Participated in NCARTs annual Fly In. Met with members of Congress/staff on the following issues: Supported timely wheelchair repairs legislation that is currently being drafted in the Senate. Supported S.247 and H.R.1703, Improving access to lightweight carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs will allow individuals with mobility challenges to choose the wheelchair that is best suited for their medical, functional, and lifestyle needs and preferences, without increasing costs to the Medicare program. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1703/all-info Advocated for Medicare coverage of power wheelchairs standing systems. Advocated for restoring federal appropriations for the Department of Defenses Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP). Advocated for Congress extending the current telehealth provisions before the last deadline and also support H.R. 1614 to make physical therapists and occupational therapists permanently authorized providers of telehealth under Medicare. H.R. 1614, the Expand Practitioners Eligible to Furnish Telehealth Services Under the Medicare Program Act, introduced by Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Adrian Smith (R-NE) has bipartisan support to eliminate the need for continued extensions, instructing Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to permanently adopt the temporary waiver of restrictions on payment for telehealth services delivered by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other qualified healthcare. United Spinal supports H. R. 4475/S. 2329, the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill will ensure Medicare beneficiaries can access the orthotics and prosthetics devices they need. Under current Medicare requirements, beneficiaries are at risk of receiving orthotic and prosthetic devices without the necessary services and customization required for the best use. The bill will clarify the law and permit Medicare beneficiaries who require prosthetics and orthotics to receive these important services. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff met with officials in the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living to express their concerns about proposed cuts to their budget and proposed departmental reorganization proposals. Staff stressed the importance of programs under the agency that serve people with disabilities. Discussed ways we could collaborate on highlighting the importance of the research completed enhancing peoples daily lives. United Spinal advocates for S. 1261, the CONNECT for Health Act, introduced by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) The CONNECT for Health Act will expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare, make COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities permanent, improve health outcomes, and make it easier for patients to connect with their doctors. Current flexibilities are set to expire on September 30 unless Congress extends them.
United Spinal staff discussed potential legislative options to provide recognition of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month with congressional staff. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations and as members of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition supported a letter the Coalition sent to the Food and Drug Administration that read in part, we thank the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Agency) for the opportunity to submit this letter of support for the approval of a first product for the treatment of non-relapsing progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Treatment for non-relapsing progressive MS is an unmet need, and we hope our comments below provide valuable information as the Agency considers its decision on tolebrutinib. United Spinal continues to advocate with members of Congress for increased federal funding for the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems as well as the Burn Model Systems and the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Increased funding at all three Model Systems, including the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center is needed to translate data, research, and clinical knowledge into resources to benefit the SCI, TBI and burn injury communities.
United Spinal, along with numerous other organizations, as members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition submitted comments in response to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Request for Information (RFI) entitled, Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation to Make American Healthy Again. The comments specifically requested: CMS should direct the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) to remove language in Local Coverage Article (LCA) A52504 indicating that Medicare does not cover power standing features. In addition, with the new Administration in place and CMS now under your leadership, the ITEM Coalition respectfully urges the agency to move forward with opening the long-pending National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for power standing systems as soon as possible. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff, as members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition met with a representative of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to urge the agency to move forward with opening the long-pending National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for power standing systems as soon as possible. This request was originally submitted jointly with the request for power seat elevation in September 2020. Clinical evidence demonstrates that Power Standing Systems offer substantial medical benefits, enabling individuals with disabilities to maintain their independence in the home and community. This delay is resulting in denied access for individuals with mobility impairments. Policy staff followed up the meeting with written comments. United Spinal signed onto a letter supporting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servicess decision to issue a positive final Benefit Category Determination (BCD) for transanal irrigation (TAI) devices and accessories, designating devices with rectal catheters that have a sealing function (e.g., balloon or cone-based catheters) as prosthetic devices. The BCD opens the opportunity for TAI devices to be reimbursed by Medicare. The BCD was effective on April 1, 2025. CMS also issued revisions to the existing CPCS Level II codes: It is crucial for all beneficiaries to have access to TAI to meet their medical and individual needs without delays or interruptions. We encourage you to establish coverage for TAI, implement the modified codes into your systems and assign sustainable reimbursement, the letter read in part. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff met separately with officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Management and Budget opposing a CMS Proposed Rule that would severely restrict Medicare beneficiaries access to medically necessary urological, ostomy and tracheostomy supplies. The DME industry and disability organization are calling on CMS to pause consideration of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding provisions included in the CY 2026 proposed rule, in order to prevent irreversible harm to suppliers and ensure continued access for Medicare beneficiaries. United Spinal submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the Calendar Year (CY) 2026, CMS-1828-P, Home Health Prospective Payment System and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2025. The comments focus on our serious concerns regarding the proposal to include tracheostomy, ostomy and urological supplies in the list of items CMS may subject to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding. We strongly oppose this proposal for the reasons discussed in the comment letter which may be reviewed at: https://downloads.regulations.gov/CMS-2025-0242-14479/attachment_1.pdf United Spinal, along with numerous other stakeholders of the ostomy, urological and tracheostomy patient communities, submitted comments in response to the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2025. The comments specifically focus on our grave concerns regarding the proposal to include ostomy, urological, and tracheostomy supplies in the list of items CMS may subject to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. We strongly oppose this proposal for the following reasons: revising the definition of ostomy neurological and tracheostomy supplies is overstepping CMSs statutory authority. It also threatens patient health, safety, dignity and quality of life. The comments may be reviewed at:https://www.ostomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025_CMS-1828-P_Proposal_Opposition_Sign-On_Letter.pdf United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Health Task Force, signed onto a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to submit comments in response to the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2025. The comments focus on our serious concerns regarding the proposal to include ostomy and urological supplies in the list of items CMS may subject to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding. We strongly oppose this proposal for the reasons discussed in the comment letter. The letter may be reviewed at: https://downloads.regulations.gov/CMS-2025-0242-14519/attachment_1.pdf United Spinal, along with numerous other members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, signed onto a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to submit comments in response to the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2025. The comments focus on our serious concerns regarding the proposal to include ostomy and urological supplies in the list of items CMS may subject to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding. We strongly oppose this proposal for the reasons discussed in the comment letter. The letter may be reviewed at: https://downloads.regulations.gov/CMS-2025-0242-14640/attachment_1.pdf United Spinal, along with numerous other members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, signed onto a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to submit comments in response to the Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2025. The comments focus on our significant concerns regarding the proposal to include off-the-shelf (OTS) orthotics in the list of items CMS may subject to DMEPOS CBP, the proposed changes to the DMEPOS supplier accreditation process, and the proposed prior authorization exemption pathway for compliant DMEPOS suppliers. The comments may be reviewed at: https://downloads.regulations.gov/CMS-2025-0242-14648/attachment_1.pdf United Spinal, along with numerous other members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, signed onto a letter encouraging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to initiate future rulemaking as soon as possible to create and establish a more timely and predictable pathway for Medicare coverage of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-designated breakthrough medical technologies. The letter read in part, Such a policy would remove unnecessary regulatory barriers and accelerate patient access to critical innovations-supporting clinicians in delivering the best possible care and helping improve health outcomes for millions of individuals with disabilities, functional limitations, and chronic conditions. https://itemcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/item-coalition-letter-to-cms-re-medicare-coverage-pathway-for-breakthrough-technology-final.pdf United Spinal, along with numerous other disability and clinical organizations, wrote to the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of Congress to express our profound concern and opposition over the proposal in the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System proposed rule (proposed rule) (CMS-1828-P), which proposes to wrongfully add ostomy, tracheostomy, and urological products-including catheters-to the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. We urged Congressional leadership to engage with the Trump Administration, without delay, to ensure this proposal does not become final policy. Patient lives, disability rights, the integrity of American manufacturing and the proper application of federal law are at imminent risk. The letter may be review at: https://aahd.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MedicareOstomyCompetitiveBidding-09152025-toCongress-ITEM-led.pdf United Spinal advocated for members of the House of Representatives to sign onto a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) being led by Representatives Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Greg Murphy (R-NC) urging the agency not to move forward with the proposed expansion of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program to include ostomy, tracheostomy and urological supplies. The letter expresses concern that the proposal conflicts with the goal of strengthening American manufacturing, securing our medical supply chains from foreign adversaries, and protecting the health and well-being of our nation's most vulnerable citizens.
United Spinal policy staff provided feedback to members of Congress on potential legislation that would improve access to parking lots, especially for wheelchair users through data collection and an accessible parking standards analysis by the Government Accountability Office. United Spinal policy staff participated in a panel discussion to advocate for United Spinals SecureRide initiative at the August 2025 meeting of the National Council on Disability (NCD) to advance safer more independent wheelchair securement across all modes of transportation. United Spinals SecureRide initiative was highlighted in the NCDs recent report on ground transportation as a potential accessibility solution for automated vehicles. Currently most wheelchair users must rely on additional human assistance to secure their wheelchairs. A recording of the presentation may be reviewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbc5lEC5jBY&t=13329s. The Report can be accessed here: https://www.ncd.gov/report/ground-transportation-for-people-with-mobility-disabilities-2025-challenges-and-progress/. United Spinal staff discussed potential legislative options to provide federal research with congressional staff to further develop automated securement for wheelchairs in motor vehicles. This would significantly improve the safety and independence of wheelchair users. United Spinal participated in Amtrak's quarterly call with disability community leaders.
United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities Education Task Force (CCD), wrote to inform the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Proposed Priority: Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education as issued for public comment that CCD supports the addition of this important priority. AI has the potential to work as assistive technology, increase teacher and student capacity, and diversify learning opportunities, but it must be designed for and with students with disabilities to achieve these aims. To support and strengthen the addition of this priority, CCD offered additional comments and recommendations which may be reviewed at: https://www.c-c-d.org/fichiers/CCD-Comments-on-Adding-AI-to-Secretary-Priorities-2025.pdf
United Spinal supports H. R. 4771/ S. 2438, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, which phases out the payment of subminimum wages under Section 14(c) of the FLSA over a five-year period. This legislation provides States, service providers, subminimum wage certificate holders, and other agencies with the resources they need to create competitive integrated employment service delivery models and the inclusive wraparound services that some e disabilities will need when subminimum wages are phased out. This legislation will align the treatment of workers with disabilities with existing federal policies.
United Spinal shared with the National Council on Disability its Emergency Preparedness Working Groups multiple resources to help the disability community prepare for all types of manmade or natural disasters: https://unitedspinal.org/category/ablethrive/life-skills/emergency-preparedness/
United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, signed on to a letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget regarding the Department of Justice regulation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covering the accessibility of state and local government websites and mobile applications (the website rule) and in response to the letter you received from the American Council on Education (ACE) dated May 12, 2025 on that subject. The letter read in part, As a coalition of professionals and advocates dedicated to accessibility, we reject ACEs call for modifications to the website rule. We do not believe any such delay, rescission, or alteration to the website rule is necessary or appropriate and is, in fact, counterproductive. Greater accessibility to education not only improves educational outcomes for those with disabilities but all students. A comprehensive approach to that accessibility is long overdue, and the US Department of Justice Title II Rule brings us a big step in the right direction.