July 17, 2009.
The House is moving fast on health care reform. Since the 1000+ page America’s Affordable Health Choices (Act AAHCA) came out on July 14, two of the three major House committees responsible for health care reform — Education & Labor and Ways & Means — have already debated, amended, and passed out this health care reform bill. The House Energy and Commerce Committee expects to finish its work on it next week. 
United Spinal Association worked with others to achieve two wins in the House bill thus far.
- First, the House Education & Labor Committee included durable medical equipment — such as power wheelchairs and prosthetics — as a mandatory benefit to be included in all health insurance policies.
- Second, the Ways & Means Committee excluded complex power wheelchairs from a new requirement that would harm Medicare beneficiaries — a requirement that power wheelchairs be rented for 13 months before being purchased. When people have a permanent or long-term need for wheelchairs, purchasing — rather than renting — enables them to get the right wheelchair and seating for each individual. This helps avoid secondary conditions such as pressure sores that often require hospitalization.
We are working for the Energy & Commerce Committee to adopt similar concepts.
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to release its bill momentarily. Chairman Max 
Baucus (D-MT) and top Republican Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are working hard to agree on a bipartisan bill. This week there has been much public debate and disagreement within the Democratic party and between the Democrats and Republicans over health care reform proposals. One of the most contentious issues is how to pay the multi-billion dollar cost of health care reform.
United Spinal Association remains committed to health care reform that will assure that Americans with disabilities, and all Americans, have access to high quality, comprehensive, affordable health care that meets their individual needs and enables them to live as independently as possible and participate in the community.
