Tag: United Spinal Association
United Spinal launches Medicaid Stories campaign
March 19, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – United Spinal Association is calling on all wheelchair users who rely on Medicaid to share their stories about what the program means to them. The association’s Medicaid Stories campaign will educate the public, media and elected officials about proposed budget cuts and their impact, including the ripple effect on the labor market. “If Medicaid is cut, it would jeopardize my ability to contribute as a taxpayer through my full-time job with the state,” said says...
United Spinal launches impact fund
March 11, 2025HME News Staff
NEW YORK – United Spinal Association has launched its Advocacy Impact Fund to defend disability rights and social programs that benefit people with disabilities. The fund will help provide the association with the resources to expand its nationwide Grassroots Advocacy Network to ensure that policymakers hear the needs and challenges of wheelchair users firsthand. "In these uncertain times, it's more critical than ever that our elected officials hear from the people they represent,”...
United Spinal, Airbnb match wheelchair users in LA area with lodging
February 4, 2025HME News Staff
NEW YORK – United Spinal Association and Airbnb.org are joining forces to help wheelchair users impacted by the Los Angeles-area wildfires. Airbnb.org is offering wheelchair users who are displaced by the LA wildfires and eligible for its program up to 30 days of lodging in accessible stays in the region. United Spinal Association will facilitate Airbnb.org bookings through its disaster relief program, Ready to Roll. "Overcoming the challenges presented to people with disabilities by natural...
United Spinal seeks ‘positive’ change around accessible parking
January 9, 2025HME News Staff
NEW YORK – United Spinal Association has published “The Complete Guide to Accessible Parking,” a new resource for people with disabilities. This guide follows the Disability Etiquette Guide and the Wheelchair Emergency Preparedness Compendium published in 2024. “United Spinal Association's Complete Guide to Accessible Parking is the result of nearly three years of hearing from and meeting with our members, examining the many problems that exist with accessible parking,”...
Disability groups launch safe travel campaign
November 4, 2024HME News Staff
NEW YORK – United Spinal Association, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) are urging Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to build on the landmark $50 million fine on American Airlines and issue a final rule, “Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers With Disabilities Using Wheelchairs,” with the strongest possible training requirements. Those requirements...
United Spinal applauds airline fine
October 23, 2024HME News Staff
NEW YORK – United Spinal Association applauds the $50 million fine levied against American Airlines by the U.S. Department of Transportation to addresses the airline’s longstanding mistreatment of passengers who use wheelchairs. “It is very unfortunate that the DOT has to enforce a monumental fine against an iconic air carrier to ensure our basic rights are respected and protected,” said Vincenzo Piscopo, United Spinal President & CEO, who uses a wheelchair. “Money won’t...
In brief: Survey says, Dynamic Infusion buys, United Spinal challenges
July 26, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The expired 75/25 Medicare blended reimbursement rates in non-bid, non-rural areas are affecting business operations and the ability to serve patients and communities, according to a national survey from AAHomecare.
The association is still analyzing survey results, but it shared some of the open-ended responses in a recent bulletin:
Reimbursements are so low now that it is hard to keep up with expenses and payroll. We may have to close. Medicare Advantage...
United Spinal relaunches Corporate Challenge
July 25, 2024HME News Staff
NEW YORK – United Spinal Association has relaunched its Corporate Challenge, a program aimed at encouraging companies to seek allyship with the disability community and to support disability inclusion. The relaunch, featuring a new look and new content, coincides with the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Disability Pride Month. “The Corporate Challenge is a call to action to the business community to raise awareness about the importance of disability inclusion,”...
In brief: Philips sues SoClean – again, AAH re-engages lawmakers, Enos re-enters sleep market
May 17, 2024HME News Staff
PITTSBURGH – Philips has sued SoClean in a bid to get the company, whose ozone cleaners it says “attacks” the foam in its CPAP devices, to pay part of its recently announced $1.1 billion settlement.
Philips announced the settlement in April to resolve the personal injury litigation and the medical monitoring class action related to a recall of certain sleep and respiratory devices in the U.S.
“(SoClean’s) negligent and intentionally misleading...
United Spinal, Airbnb look to increase travel accessibility
May 16, 2024HME News Staff
NEW YORK – United Spinal Association is partnering with Airbnb to create an Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy for people with mobility disabilities to increase hosting opportunities and grow the number of listings with accessibility features. "Airbnb shares our commitment to making worldwide travel accessible for wheelchair users, including identifying lodgings with accessibility features at their destinations," says Vincenzo Piscopo, United Spinal CEO and president. "We are excited...