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Legislative Progress
Momentum (last 30 days)
0
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0 actions · 0 new cosponsors · 0 votes
Speed vs cohort
87pct
105d open
vs 3,548 other S bills in the 114th — cohort avg 43d
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) Steve Gleason Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover as durable medical equipment any eye tracking and gaze interaction accessories for speech generating devices furnished to individuals with a demonstrated medical need for them. (Sec. 3) Payment for speech generating devices or accessories shall be made on a rental basis, or in a lump-sum amount for the purchase of the item, without a cap on the amount in the case of devices furnished on or after October 1, 2015, and before October 1, 2018.
These links require the bill number to appear in the filing's source-reported specific issue text. Client expenses and lobbying-firm income are separate disclosure fields.
Filing registrants (4)
2017 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 750 The Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) Act will create a separate category for CRT within the Medicare DME benefit. H.R. 1361/S486 - provides a permanent exemption from Medicare's competitive acquisition program for complex power and manual components and wheelchairs. As a member of the MapRx Coalition, United Spinal signed onto a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, regarding ensuring safeguards in Medicare Part D regarding specialty tiers, protected pharmacy classes and out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries. United Spinal wrote a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) urging for separate coding options for titanium materials (makes for lighter wheelchairs/easier maneuverability) for wheelchairs if it is the beneficiarys choice. CMS issued a recent policy determination not allowing wheelchair providers to bill the beneficiary for titanium. United Spinal policy staff convened a meeting with senior personnel at CMS, along with PVA, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and ITEM Coalition to discuss expanded access to CRT under Medicare; the seat elevation feature (which is not covered by Medicare), and titanium wheelchairs. Met with other personnel at CMS to discuss future delays of the competitive bidding program. United Spinal submitted a letter to CMS urging for discrete coding for hydrophilic (lubricated) catheters. United Spinal opposes any provision that expands the Medicaid Secondary Payer statute to allow for the Agency to collect funds from a judgment or settlement beyond what was provided for medical care is unfair and harmful to Medicaid beneficiaries and has submitted a letter to House and Senate. United Spinal supports S. 253/H.R. 807 - Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act, which would protect Medicare beneficiaries from arbitrary limits on outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services that are often needed to recover from debilitating illnesses, such as stroke, or support the effective management of conditions including SCI, multiple sclerosis and arthritis. Sent letter of support for the HR 2465/S 1132 Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act of 2017 to revise the Steve Gleason Act of 2015 (114th Congress S. 984). United Spinal signed onto a similar letter, facilitated by the Center for Medicare Advocacy. The Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act will remove the sunset date, currently identified in law as October 1, 2018. We seek this revision to prevent extremely vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries from ever again having to relinquish their only means of communication. By revising the Steve Gleason Act of 2015 to remove the sunset date, beneficiaries with ALS, MS, Parkinsons disease, paralysis, cerebral palsy and other debilitating conditions will be assured that Medicare coverage for speech generating devices (SGD) and related accessories will continue to be available.
Became Public Law No: 114-40.
Became Public Law No: 114-40.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5214)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5214)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 984.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5214-5217)
Bills with similar content found using semantic analysis.
Sources: Congress.gov
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $150,000
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Issues surrounding the enactment or repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including IPAB and ACOs. Medicare reimbursement reform for providers including the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). Medicare Part B Drug Reimbursement. FDA issues and Issues surrounding the tissue bank industry. HR 1190 and S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act (IPAB repeal). HR 2, the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act (SGR reform). Implementation of The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act. HR 1221/S 626, the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians (HELLPP) Act. Training Tomorrows Doctors Today Act, and The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. Issues and regulations governing the use and deployment of speech generating devices (SGDs) S.984 The Steve Gleason Act. Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment (ADAPT) Act. The 21st Century Cures Act, HR 6 and the Senate Innovations legislation. Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act - HR 4959. Draft legislation to reform the FDA's regulation of cosmetics. Provisions relating to combat surgical training and standards in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Issues surrounding the enactment or repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including IPAB and ACOs. Medicare reimbursement reform for providers including the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). Medicare Part B Drug Reimbursement. FDA issues and Issues surrounding the tissue bank industry. HR 1190 and S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act (IPAB repeal). HR 2, the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act (SGR reform). Implementation of The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act. HR 1221/S 626, the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians (HELLPP) Act. Training Tomorrows Doctors Today Act, and The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. Issues and regulations governing the use and deployment of speech generating devices (SGDs) S.984 The Steve Gleason Act. Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment (ADAPT) Act. The 21st Century Cures Act, HR 6 and the Senate Innovations legislation. Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act - HR 4959. Draft legislation to reform the FDA's regulation of cosmetics. Provisions relating to combat surgical training and standards in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Health Issues
Issues surrounding the enactment or repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including IPAB and ACOs. Medicare reimbursement (SGR) reform for providers including the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). Medicare Part B Drug Reimbursement. FDA issues and Issues surrounding the tissue bank industry. HR 1190 and S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act (IPAB repeal). HR 2, the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act (SGR reform). Implementation of The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act. HR 1221/S 626, the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians (HELLPP) Act. Training Tomorrows Doctors Today Act, and The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. Issues and regulations governing the use and deployment of speech generating devices (SGDs) S.984 The Steve Gleason Act. Issues involving Value Based Insurance Design or V-BID. Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment (ADAPT) Act. The 21st Century Cures Act, HR 6 and the Senate Innovations legislation. Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act - HR 4959
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · first_quarter · Health Issues
Issues surrounding the enactment or repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including IPAB and ACOs. Medicare reimbursement (SGR) reform for providers including the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). Medicare Part B Drug Reimbursement. FDA issues and Issues surrounding the tissue bank industry. HR 1190 and S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act (IPAB repeal). HR 2, the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act (SGR reform). Implementation of The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act. HR 1221/S 626, the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians (HELLPP) Act. Training Tomorrows Doctors Today Act, and The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. Issues and regulations governing the use and deployment of speech generating devices (SGDs) S.984 The Steve Gleason Act. Issues involving Value Based Insurance Design or V-BID. Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment (ADAPT) Act. The 21st Century Cures Act, HR 6 and the Senate Innovations legislation.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2015 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Issues surrounding the enactment or repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including IPAB and ACOs. Medicare reimbursement (SGR) reform for providers including the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). FDA issues and Issues surrounding the tissue bank industry. HR 1190 and S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act (IPAB repeal). HR 2, the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act (SGR reform). The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act. HR 1221/S 626, the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians (HELLPP) Act. Training Tomorrows Doctors Today Act, and The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. Issues and regulations governing the use and deployment of speech generating devices (SGDs) S.984 The Steve Gleason Act. Issues involving Value Based Insurance Design or V-BID. Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment (ADAPT) Act. The 21st Century Cures Act, HR 6.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2015 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
HR 775/S 539 - Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act: Advocate for removal of cap on occupational therapy services and support passage. HR 1516 - Ensuring Access and Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2015: Advocate for inclusion of occupational therapy professionals as providers of complex rehabilitation technology. HR 1608 - Lymphedema Treatment Act: Support passage and educate about role of occupational therapy services. HR 729 - Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2015: Support passage and education about role of occupational therapy services. HR 1458 - Bundling and Coordinating Post-Acute Care Act of 2015 (BACPAC Act of 2015): Provide information on occupational therapy's role in bundled payment. HR 6 - 21st Century Cures Act: Advocated to improve research under the National Institutes of Health (NIH). S.984 - Steve Gleason Act of 2015: Advocated for Passage S. 313 - Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act: Advocated for inclusion of occupational therapy, specifically policies allowing occupational therapists to perform certain home health assessments. S. 2364 - The Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act: support passage to allow occupational therapy as an initiating service in Medicare's home health setting. Seeking introduction of a companion bill in the House of Reps. H.R. 2948 - Medicare Telehealth Parity Act of 2015: Support passage especially as it relates to inclusion of occupational therapy services.
Client expense: $150,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2015 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Issues surrounding the enactment or repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including IPAB and ACOs. Medicare reimbursement (SGR) reform for providers. FDA issues and Issues surrounding the tissue bank industry. HR 1190 and S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act (IPAB repeal). HR 2, the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act (SGR reform). The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act. HR 1221/S 626, the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians (HELLPP) Act. Training Tomorrows Doctors Today Act, and The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. Issues and regulations governing the use and deployment of speech generating devices (SGDs) S.984 The Steve Gleason Act. Issues involving Value Based Insurance Design or V-BID. Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment (ADAPT) Act. The 21st Century Cures Act, HR 6.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2015 · third_quarter · Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
Labor issues generally, including player safety, employee conduct, and antitrust issues. S. 984, Steve Gleason Act
Client expense: $340,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2015 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
HR 775/S 539 - Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act: Advocate for removal of cap on occupational therapy services and support passage. HR 1516 - Ensuring Access and Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2015: Advocate for inclusion of occupational therapy professionals as providers of complex rehabilitation technology. HR 1608 - Lymphedema Treatment Act: Support passage and educate about role of occupational therapy services. HR 729 - Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2015: Support passage and education about role of occupational therapy services. HR 2 - Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act: Advocate to include full repeal of the cap on Medicare Part B Outpatient therapy, including occupational therapy. Support for SGR provision. HR 1458 - Bundling and Coordinating Post-Acute Care Act of 2015 (BACPAC Act of 2015): Provide information on occupational therapy's role in bundled payment. HR 6 - 21st Century Cures Act: Advocated to improve research under the National Institutes of Health (NIH). S.984 - Steve Gleason Act of 2015: Advocated for Passage S. 313 - Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act: Advocated for inclusion of occupational therapy, specifically policies allowing occupational therapists to perform certain home health assessments. No bill: seek introduction of the Home Health Flexibility Act, to allow occupational therapy as an initiating service in Medicare's home health setting.
Client expense: $130,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2015 · second_quarter · Health Issues
Issues surrounding the enactment or repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including IPAB and ACOs. Medicare reimbursement (SGR) reform for providers. FDA issues and Issues surrounding the tissue bank industry. HR 1190 and S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act (IPAB repeal). HR 2, the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act (SGR reform). The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act. HR 1221/S 626, the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians (HELLPP) Act. Training Tomorrows Doctors Today Act, and The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. Issues and regulations governing the use and deployment of speech generating devices (SGDs) S.984 The Steve Gleason Act. Issues involving Value Based Insurance Design or V-BID. Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment (ADAPT) Act. The 21st Century Cures Act.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2015 · second_quarter · Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
Labor issues generally, including player safety, employee conduct, and antitrust issues. S. 984, Steve Gleason Act
Client expense: $310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2015 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
HR 775/S 539 - Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act: Advocate for removal of cap on occupational therapy services and support passage. HR 1516 - Ensuring Access and Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2015: Advocate for inclusion of occupational therapy professionals as providers of complex rehabilitation technology. HR 1608 - Lymphedema Treatment Act: Support passage and educate about role of occupational therapy services. HR 729 - Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2015: Support passage and education about role of occupational therapy services. HR 2 - Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act: Advocate to include full repeal of the cap on Medicare Part B Outpatient therapy, including occupational therapy. Support for SGR provision. HR 1458 - Bundling and Coordinating Post-Acute Care Act of 2015 (BACPAC Act of 2015): Provide information on occupational therapy's role in bundled payment. HR 6 - 21st Century Cures Act: Advocated to improve research under the National Institutes of Health (NIH). S.984 - Steve Gleason Act of 2015: Advocated for Passage S. 313 - Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act: Advocated for inclusion of occupational therapy.
Client expense: $200,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2015 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Supports H.R. 1516/S. 1013 - ENsuring Access to Quality Compex Rehabiliation Technology Act - to ensure Medicare beneficiaries' access to customized wheelchairs. United Spinal advocated distributed a Congressional Dear Colleague letter urging that CRT accessories (specialty controls such as head-rests) are not set at competitive bidding pricing the same as standard wheelchairs due to their highly customized nature for a small population living with significant disabilities. United Spinal highlighted our concern with CRT Accessories, described above and with our concerns with access to durable medical equipment for wheelchair users under the competitive acquisition program. United Spinal signed on to a letter to US Health and Human Services Secretary Burwell and CMS officials regarding a pending case, Davis v. Shah, in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals - a challenge to New York Medicaid's attempt to limit coverage of compression stockings and orthopedic shoes only to Medicaid recipients with specific diagnoses. Supports the Steve Gleason Act which lifts caps on access to speech-generating devices. (HR 1919, H.R. 629, S, 768, S. 984. United Spinal supported Congressional testimony on behalf of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee highlighting the need to eliminate site-neutral payments under Medicare and also advocated for additional signatories to a Dear Colleague letter stating the same issue. United Spinal supports expanded state participation in Medicaid programs that increase funding for HCBS such as the Community First Choice Option, Money Follows the Person, and the Balancing Incentive Program; and oppose restructuring of Medicaid funding through block grants, State Flexibility Funds, or per capita caps. United Spinal signed on to a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in support of an improved mechanism for the reimbursement of Lemtrada to ensure speedier access to this therapy for individuals with multiple sclerosis. United Spinal signed onto three comment letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in support of improved rehab policy, namely: on in-patient rehabilitative facilities and on skilled nursing facilities to allow for improved quality reporting and on acute care hospitals and payment issues to ensure that bundled payments of services does not hinder coverage of episodes of care for individuals with multiple needs. United Spinal signed onto a MapRx letter to urge the Senate Finance Committee to include, in their discussion of chronic care, robust formularies, coverage of the six-protected classes of drugs, strong oversight, and transparency for consumers are among the design principles essential to meet the needs of Medicare beneficiaries. In addition, a process for notice of non-coverage, appeals and exceptions is critical to providing access to needed drug therapies. United Spinal supports S.1253, the Patient Access to Disposable Medical Technology Act of 2015.The legislation amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover disposable medical technology in addition to equipment traditionally described as durable medical equipment. This legislation was introduced by Senators Burr (R-NC) and Bennet (D-CO) this spring and is identical to its House counterpart, H.R. 1018, which United Spinal has also supported. United Spinal supports the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015, HR 160, introduced by Rep. Eric Paulsen of Minnesota, which repeals the medical device tax on medical device manufacturers and importers. United Spinal signed on to a letter to Congress to convey support for the goals of the final Home and Community Based Settings (HCBS) rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in January 2014. This rule is the first time CMS has defined community for Medicaid-funded HCBS programs. The letter also urges Congress to: protect cuts to funding; support the requested additional $2.8m in CMS funding for HCBS; and defend against policies or changes to the rule that would hinder the goal of providing supports through HCBS so that people with disabilities can live meaningful lives.
Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 154.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Reported by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 114-178, Part I.
Congress.gov source codes: 5000, H12200
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Congress.gov source codes: H11100, H11100-A
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2319; text as passed Senate: CR S2319)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S2319; text as passed Senate: CR S2319)
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 59.
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure:CR S2284-2285)
Introduced in Senate
| Referred to |
| April 22, 2015 |
| Ways and Means Committee | House | Referred to | April 22, 2015 |
| April 22, 2015 |
| Placed on Calendar Senate | April 20, 2015 |
| Enrolled Bill | -- |
| Republican |
| AK |
| Mark Kirk | Republican | IL |
| Susan M. Collins | Republican | ME |
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $120,000
Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ACCESS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office