TAKE ACTION NOW! Medicare Rule Change Could Negatively Affect Users of Assistive Technology, Durable Medical Equipment: Sept 2013

as shared from our colleagues at Access Living; we at Ability Chicago completely support this view...

TAKE ACTION! Medicare Rule Change Could Negatively Affect Users of Assistive Technology, Durable Medical Equipment	Take Action!
Speaking Devices, Power Chairs Among Items Affected
For 8 million people with disabilities who use Medicare, access to the appropriate technology and devices are critical. Over half of this group acquired their disability before age 54. Assistive technology (AT) and durable medical equipment (DME) allow most folks to live in the community rather than in nursing facilities or institutions.  One example of AT is speaking devices; an example of DME is power wheelchairs. The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services is proposing a new rule that would require monthly rental, not purchase, of these kinds of equipment.  Much of this equipment has to be individually tailored, which makes rental rather ridiculous.   Ultrasonic osteogenesis simulators are also affected by this proposed change. We urgently need the disability community to take action by contacting your United States Senators and Representatives at the Take Action link at the top of this message.  Our members of Congress need to contact CMS chief Marilyn Tavenner to urge her not to go forward with the rule as proposed, but to revisit the entire system of how Medicare pays for AT and DME. Access Living, along with a number of other organizations such as the United Spinal Cord Injury Association, is submitting comments today on the proposed rule. But we need people’s action to make Congress aware of this problem. TAKE ACTION ASAP by using the “Take Action” link at the top of this page (if you are reading this in an email) or scroll down for the quick letter template (if you are reading this on our website).   Fill out the form, and feel free to personalize the letter.  When you are done, click Send and the letter will automatically go to your members of Congress. Let’s go advocates!