Legislation Introduced to Fix “in the home” rule
WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, July 17, Senators Bingaman (D-NM) and Santorum (R-PA) introduced legislation to remove Medicare’s “in the home” restriction on mobility devices. On July 28, Representative Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the legislation in the House. Please ask your Senators and Representative to cosponsor this important legislation for people with disabilities!
Currently, Medicare will only cover mobility devices if beneficiaries need them for use inside their homes. If a beneficiary can function at home with a manual wheelchair, but needs a power wheelchair to go to work, the doctor, or the local grocery store, Medicare will only pay for a manual wheelchair. This “in the home” rule severely restricts the independence of people with disabilities, limiting their ability to work and participate in other community activities.
The new bill, the “Medicare Independent Living Act of 2006” (S.3677/H.R.5983), would eliminate the “in the home” restriction. S.3677 currently has 9 additional cosponsors: Senators Murray (D-WA), Collins (R-ME), Akaka (D-HI), Jeffords (I-VT), Lieberman (D-CT), Kerry (D-MA), Harkin (D-IA), and Kennedy (D-MA), and Isakson (R-GA). H.R.5983 has 6 additional cosponsors: Blumenauer (D-OR), Davis (D-CA), Waxman (D-CA), Davis (D-FL), Markey (D-MA), and Wexler (D-FL).
The work of disability advocates nationwide has gotten us to this stage. Now it is time to take the effort to the next level, and build support for this bill throughout Congress!
ACTION: If your Senators are not yet cosponsors of S.3677, please call them toll-free via the Capitol Switchboard at 1-877-224-0041. Ask your Senators to cosponsor S. 3677, the Medicare Independent Living Act of 2006, introduced by Senators Bingaman and Santorum. You can also email your Senators by going to www.senate.gov, and selecting “Senators,” then your state, and then clicking on the web form links.
If your Representative is not yet a cosponsor of H.R.5983, please call him/her toll-free via the Capitol Switchboard at 1-877-224-0041. Ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 5983, the Medicare Independent Living Act of 2006, introduced by Representative Sherrod Brown. You can also email your Representative, by going to www.house.gov, and following theses steps:
Select “Write your Representative” (the 4th link from the top in the left column). Next, select your location from the drop down menu, then enter your zip code + 4 digit extension (to find your 4 digit extension, click the 4 digit extension link), and then select “Contact My Representative.” Last, enter the required contact information and select “Continue to Text Entry Form.”
Let your Senators and Representatives know that people with disabilities should have access to devices that will help them live healthy and independent lives – both inside and outside of their homes!