Stakeholders show up in force for complex rehab
By Liz Beaulieu, Editor
Updated 12:00 PM CDT, Fri September 23, 2022
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WASHINGTON – A record 300 providers, manufacturers, clinicians, consumers and others participated in the NCART/NRRTS Virtual Congressional Fly-in on Sept. 14, a nearly 58% increase over last year.
They held 292 congressional meetings on that one day.
“Attendance was significantly higher than prior years, including last year, when we had 190 participate,” said Don Clayback, executive director of NCART.
The three main talking points of those meetings: securing Medicare coverage for power seat elevation and power standing systems; highlighting the increased costs that providers are facing; and making permanent the telehealth flexibilities that have been in place during the public health emergency.
Clayback and Weesie Walker, executive director of NRRTS, highlighted an increase in the number of consumers who participated, in particular.
“In Georgia, there was a gentleman participating that I had never even met before,” Walker said. “He was a great advocate and he told me he felt empowered.”
Also of note: an increase in the number of first-time attendees, Clayback says.
“It’s encouraging and we’re hoping we can build on that going into next year’s event,” he said.
The virtual format of the event made it easier to participate and, thanks to the event’s sponsors, there was no registration fee this year, Clayback and Walker also highlighted.
“The sponsors, even in a rough year, saw how important this was and came through,” Walker said. “I know a $20 fee doesn’t seem like a lot, but for some people, it meant they couldn’t participate.”
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