Tag: Roll on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON – CMS has announced a 90-day suspension of scheduled Medicare cuts to accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs, NCART reports.  That extends an 18-month suspension that would have expired on July 1 to Oct. 1.  “They will use this time for further analysis and, hopefully, a permanent suspension,” Don Clayback, executive director of NCART, tweeted today. “Thank you advocates, Congress and CMS.”  On Monday, a letter led...

WASHINGTON – Natalie Barnhard was named the recipient of the Finn Bullers Advocate of the Year Award at this year’s United Spinal Association Roll on Capitol Hill event, which took place virtually June 14-16. Barnhard is the chapter leader of the Western New York Chapter of United Spinal and the founder and president of Motion Project Foundation. She has been a wheelchair user for 16 years, following a spinal cord injury while at work as a physical therapy assistant (PTA).  In September,...

VALLEY COTTAGE, N.Y. – National Ramp, a manufacturer of modular ramps, is a premier sponsor of United Spinal Association’s Roll on Capitol Hill. Roll on Capitol Hill is United Spinal’s annual policy event to support key advocacy priorities for its membership and the broader disability community and to ensure that legislators include wheelchair users and all people with disabilities in policy debates on Capitol Hill. “The United Spinal Association is...

WASHINGTON - The United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill, June 23-26, resulted in a record 250 visits with congressional offices, says Alexandra Bennewith.“That's the most we've ever done,” said Bennewith, vice president, government relations. “We had more than 100 advocates from more than 30 states, plus Puerto Rico. It was excellent.”The annual advocacy event addresses the issues that impact the health, independence and quality of life of individuals living with...

WASHINGTON - The United Spinal Association will hold its annual “Roll on Capitol Hill” June 23-26. The event is United Spinal's annual legislative advocacy event to addresses issues that impact the health, independence and quality of life of individuals living with spinal cord injuries and disorders, including disabled veterans. Highlights of the conference include a welcome reception on June 23, an advocacy education and expo day on June 24 and a congressional awards reception on June...

WASHINGTON - Complex rehab technology stakeholders had another shot at advocating for accessories for complex manual wheelchairs during the United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill June 24-June 27.The association had about 150 wheelchair users, member advocates and partners on hand, raising awareness of critical issues during 216 visits with lawmakers—a record, said Alexandra Bennewith, vice president, government relations, for United Spinal.Among the issues discussed: H.R. 3730 and...

WASHINGTON - Two lawmakers were recognized for their work on behalf of people with disabilities and veterans during the United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill this week. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., received the 2018 James J. Peters Distinguished Veterans Legislator Award; and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., received the 2018 Outstanding Congressional Leadership Award. Two other awards were handed out at the event: Gretchelle Dilan received the 2018 Outstanding Community Service Award; and Earle...

KEW GARDENS, N.Y. - In mid-June, the United Spinal Association held its 6th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill, which brought hundreds of members to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of individuals living with spinal cord injuries and disorders.HME News recently caught up with Bill Fertig, director of the association's Resource Center and a wheelchair user, to hear about the event and how it's changed from year to year.HME News: How was this, the 6th Annual Roll, different from previous years?Bill...

WASHINGTON - When wheelchair users rolled onto Capitol Hill in June to advocate for a number of issues, they had official support from NRRTS for the first time.NRRTS was a “Capitol” sponsor for the United Spinal Association-organized Roll on Capitol Hill, a $20,000 commitment.“As the (manufacturer, provider and user communities) work together more, we saw this as an opportunity to show our cohesiveness,” said Weesie Walker, executive director of NRRTS. “We're all working...

WASHINGTON ­­- When wheelchair users rolled onto Capitol Hill last week to advocate for a number of issues, they had official support from NRRTS for the first time.NRRTS was a “Capitol” sponsor for the United Spinal Association-organized Roll on Capitol Hill, a $20,000 commitment.“As the (manufacturer, provider and user communities) work together more, we saw this as an opportunity to show our cohesiveness,” said Weesie Walker, executive director of NRRTS. “We're all...