Ask congressman to support Federal legislation
Action Alert
March 21, 2007
Federal Legislation to Eliminate “In the Home” Restriction on Certain Power Mobility Devices (PMDs):
MEDICARE INDEPENDENT LIVING ACT
Soon To Be Introduced in Congress
ISSUE:
Congressmen Langevin (D-RI) and Ramstad (R-MN) are preparing to introduce legislation to eliminate Medicare’s “in the home” restriction on mobility devices and your help is needed to secure original cosponsors!
Congressmen Langevin and Ramstad will soon introduce the “Medicare Independent Living Act” to eliminate this discriminatory restriction for individuals with long-term mobility needs. The Congressmen have circulated a letter to their House colleagues requesting original cosponsors of the legislation (prior to its introduction) .
ACTION:
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and the ITEM Coalition request the following action:
Please call your Representative toll-free via the Capitol switchboard at 1-877-224-0041 and ask that he/she become an original cosponsor of the Medicare Independent Living Act.
BACKGROUND:
The Medicare Independent Living Act is bipartisan legislation to eliminate Medicare’s “in the home” restriction on mobility devices and will be introduced by Congressmen Langevin and Ramstad in the coming weeks.
Medicare’s “in the home” rule is outdated and restricts coverage of mobility devices to only those needed for certain in-home activities. An individual who requires a mobility device to help them prepare their meals or brush their teeth may receive a device. However, an individual who may be able to move around their home without a mobility device, but requires a device to go to work, school, the grocery store, or anywhere in the community, is not eligible. This restriction unfairly confines many individuals with disabilities to the four walls for their homes and sharply contradicts community-based initiatives such as the Olmstead Supreme Court decision, Ticket-to-Work Program, New Freedom Initiative, and Americans with Disabilities Act.
Unfortunately, the long-standing “in the home” policy is still in place, which is a discriminatory and harmful restriction that denies individuals with mobility impairments access to the devices necessary to meet their functional needs both inside and outside their homes. In addition, there will still be economic issues with access, given that the reimbursement rates for certain types of PMDs are reduced from the levels under which they had previously operated. Many providers already indicate that they will not be able to continue supplying such devices to Medicare beneficiaries.
If you have any questions, or would like a list of the original sponsors contact Elizabeth Leef at NCIL at Elizabeth@ncil.org or the ITEM Coalition at (202) 349-4260.
Thank you for your advocacy efforts!