Help Pass Legislation to Strengthen Consumer Access to Titanium and Carbon Fiber Wheelchairs
House and Senate Bills will allow more individuals to take advantage of ultralight manual wheelchairs constructed with with titanium or carbon fiber materials
Legislation to allow Medicare beneficiaries greater access to titanium or carbon fiber wheelchairs has been been introduced in both chambers of Congress – and they need your support for passage before the 118th Congress wraps up at the end of this year.
On Sept. 24, 2024, Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation that would improve access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries. The new bill, S. 5154, creates two new HCPCS codes for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) manual wheelchairs and allows for an upgrade within a code.
The bill provides a Senate complement to H.R. 5371, similar legislation that was approved by the House Energy & Commerce Committee in December 2023.
Mobility and CRT suppliers are encouraged to reach out now to their Senators and Representatives to ask for their support in passing these bills this year. With upcoming elections shortening the Fall legislative calendar on Capitol Hill, a strong grassroots push is needed to move our legislation forward.
Messages & Tips
Who to Contact – If you don't already have a relationship with your legislators' staff, call their DC offices and ask for the name and email of
the staffer who handles healthcare issues.
Main Messages - Please put these ideas in your own words for maximum impact.
- [Reference S. 5154 or H.R. 5371, depending on whether you are reaching out to the Senate or House] is legislation that would allow individuals with mobility challenges better
access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries, and would also improve access for individuals covered under plans that follow Medicare policy and
coding.
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Access to lightweight carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs will allow individuals who require this technology the choice of wheelchair that is best suited for their medical,
functional, and lifestyle needs and preferences.
- S. 5154 was introduced in September 2024. H.R. 5371 was introduced last year and passed the House Energy & Commerce Committee in December of 2023.
- Please co-sponsor this bill and work with leadership to enact [S. 5154 or H.R. 5371] or to include its provisions in another legislative package this year.
Include Your Experiences – Talk about your company's work supporting patients who use wheelchairs and the potential benefits and improved quality of life that titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs provide.
Pre-drafted Message Available
While direct contact with Senators’ and Representative’s healthcare staff makes the strongest impression, you can also send a pre-drafted message supporting these bills using our Voter Voice advocacy tool. Please edit the letter there to include
your perspectives on how increasing access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs will improve the lives of the patients you serve.
Additional Contact and Messaging Assistance is Available
Please contact Gordon Barnes at gordonb@aahomecare.org for assistance finding contact info for Representative's healthcare
staffer, help in drafting your email, or responding to any questions/comments you get from staffers.
Learn More