United Spinal Members and Supporters Turn Out For Veto Override
United Spinal Association, its advocates, its members and allied disability organizations did it – Congress overrode President Bush’s veto of the Medicare Improvements Act. The Bush Administration intended to drastically restrict the availability of wheelchairs, especially motorized chairs, to Medicare recipients.
The disability community was outraged and United Spinal worked hard to educate the Congress about how seriously the health and well being of people with disabilities was being damaged by Bush Administration policies. Physicians and their Medicare recipient patients were further outraged by a 10% pay cut to be imposed on physician reimbursement, making it harder for doctors to provide quality care.
United Spinal’s year long grassroots effort culminated in the 383 to 41 vote in the house and a 70 to 26 vote in the Senate to override the presidential veto.
Paul Tobin, CEO of United Spinal Association, stated “I’m proud of United Spinal Association’s involvement in this victory for the disability community and senior citizens and especially proud of those who took action. When the people speak loudly and clearly elected officials hear them and respond. The issue, of course, will be back but new competitive bidding should not force people to use poor and inappropriate equipment or make them jump through hoops to qualify for it.”
The fact that this is an election year definitely helped. That is, not only will there be a presidential election but 1/3 of the United States Senate and every member of the House of Representatives is running in November. Advocacy by citizen groups, coupled with physicians and dealers and manufacturers of durable medical equipment all pushed for the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 in order to delay the “competitive bidding” process and provide time to rethink the program.