How to persuade feds to change wheelchair policy
Update: see the comments below for an idea for grassroots activism at its best! Join the discussion.
Original story: Wheelchair users still can't get Medicare to pay for scooters and chairs unless they're for use "in the home." This ridiculous policy still hasn't changed, although advocates have pressed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services repeatedly.
Earlier this year, CMS revised its wheelchair coverage policy, and had the opportunity to reconsider this restriction.
"However, CMS chose to maintain the 'in the home' rule, making it clear that Medicare will not cover wheelchairs that many beneficiaries need to live independently and access their communities."
The ITEM Coalition (ITEM stands for "Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid") is asking folks to participate in its "Access to Mobility Call-In Day." Throughout the day, individuals are encouraged to call their Senators and Representatives and ask them to support efforts to improve access to mobility devices for people with disabilities.
Call 1-877-224-0041 (TOLL FREE). Ask the Capitol Operator to connect you to your Senators and Representatives to ask them to support efforts to improve access to mobility devices for people with disabilities.
You can also send an online letter to your Representatives and Senators here -- and visit www.rightwheelchair.org for more info on this campaign.
Posted on October 06, 2005 to our News Department
Comments
That's brilliant....watching them spin and spin and then realize they haven't a choice in the matter...
I want to see the guidelines: "Homeless exceptions" "Open Air Housing" "The Open Air Exception in no way limits cancels changes or otherwise alter's Medicare's present 'In the Home' exception" or other such nonsense.
Posted by: Jean Flynn on October 7, 2005 07:11 PM
Mark R. wrote,
Let's find a wheelchair user who is homeless... his or her "home" is the street, and Medicare would ... have to come across with a wheelchair for use in the street...
That's a great idea! It could be a wonderful grassroots media campaign. Direct action at its best! One person in every major city -- be sure to plan the media, do the news releases, hold a news conference, have the homelesss person (people) there.... Be sure to let us know about it here at Ragged Edge if you start organizing this. Or if others do. We want to know about it!
Posted by: Mary Johnson on October 7, 2005 07:14 AM
It just occurred to me how we could illustrate how ridiculous this policy is. Let's find a wheelchair user who is homeless (sadly, not that difficult a task). That way, his or her "home" is the street, and Medicare would (theoretically) have to come across with a wheelchair for use in the street - thereby setting a precedent for everybody else!
Yeah, yeah, I know, they'd find some way to weasel out of it. But wouldn't it be fun to watch them try?
Mark Romoser
Honolulu, HI
Posted by: Mark Romoser on October 6, 2005 02:07 PM