ABLE Financial Planning Act

United Spinal Association, along with numerous other disability organizations, signed on to a letter encouraging Congressional bipartisan leadership and members of Congress to honor the original intent of the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (ABLE Act) and stand with the individuals with disabilities who are denied the opportunity to achieve a better life experience simply due to the age at which they became disabled. The letter requested, that the ABLE Age Adjustment Act (H.R. 1894/S. 817) be passed before, or concurrently with, any legislation that provides for further benefits to those already eligible for the program. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act would increase the age requirement from 26 to 46 as a first step to eliminating the age restrictions in allowing certain individuals with disabilities the opportunity to save resources in a tax advantaged savings account (an ABLE account) for the purposes of covering disability related expenses. The resources saved in an ABLE account are not taken into consideration when determining the individuals eligibility for federally funded means tested benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. United Spinal is concerned about the movement of any legislation related to the ABLE Act that does not include a meaningful increase to the age requirement within the eligibility criteria of the law. It supports both the ABLE to Work Act (H.R. 1896/S. 818) and the ABLE Financial Planning Act (H.R. 1897/S. 816), however it opposes their movement absent the movement of the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, signed on to a letter addressed to the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations bipartisan leadership regarding Senate appropriations language considering eliminating the Ticket to Work Program. The letter detailed the disability communitys long-standing support for the Social Security Ticket to Work Program.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $75,000

Government targets: AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Preservation of Medicaid as an entitlement program and avoiding cuts, including per capita caps and block grants, opposing repeal of ACA & Medicaid Expansion. (American Health Care Act, HR 1628; BCRA) and all Senate substitutes to H.R. 1628. Implementation of and improving the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, P.L. 113-295, provisions added in P.L. 115-97. Implementation of the Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148 and P.L. 111-192 HCBS Settings Rule Transition to Independence Medicaid Buy-In Option. ABLE Age Adjustment Act, S. 817 and H.R. 1874 ABLE Financial Planning Act, S. 816 and H.R. 1897 ABLE to Work Act, S. 818 and H.R. 1896 Benefit Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act of 2017 (H.R. 2575) (S. 1909) Permanently repealing Medicare Therapy Caps (H.R. 807, S. 253)

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

Implementation of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, P.L. 113-295 Improvements to ABLE Act ABLE Age Adjustment Act, S. 817 and H.R. 1874 ABLE Financial Planning Act, S. 816 and H.R. 1897 ABLE to Work Act, S. 818 and H.R. 1896 The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1, P.L. 115-97)

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

H.R. 1, relating to reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018, provisions relating to ABLE savings accounts, medical expense deduction, and orphan drug tax credit; S. 816/H.R. 1897, ABLE Financial Planning Act, relating to rollovers from 529 programs to ABLE accounts, all provisions; S. 817/H.R. 1874, ABLE Age Adjustment Act, relating to the eligible age for ABLE accounts, all provisions; S. 818/H.R. 1896, ABLE to Work Act of 2017, relating to contribution limits for ABLE account beneficiaries who work, all provisions; S. 2070/H.R. 4221, Kevin and Avonte's Law of 2017, relating to initiatives that reduce the risk of injury of children with autism who may wander, all provisions; S. 2237, EMPOWER Care Act, relating to reauthorizing the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program, all provisions; H.R. 3199, Improving Access to Higher Education Act of 2017, relating to improving accessibility to, and completion of, post-secondary education, all provisions; H.R. 4508, PROSPER Act, relating to supporting students in completing an affordable post-secondary education, all provisions; H.R. 2353, Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, relating to career and technical education, all provisions; S. 1028/H.R. 3759, RAISE Family Caregivers Act, relating to the development of a family caregiving strategy, all provisions; S. 1827, KIDS Act of 2017, relating to funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program, all provisions; H.R. 3921, HEALTHY KIDS Act, relating to funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program, all provisions; Public Law 109-270, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006, relating to career and technical education, all provisions; Public Law 110-315, Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, relating to post-secondary opportunities for students with autism, all provisions; Public Law 113-128, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, relating to workforce development, all provisions; Public Law 113-157, Autism CARES Act of 2014, relating to autism research and services, all provisions; appropriations for autism and other scientific research; implementation of the Affordable Care Act as it affects people with autism; education and employment of and health care and housing for people with autism; Medicaid, Social Security, and other benefit programs that affect people with autism; early access to care for people with autism; financing for long-term services and supports; appropriations for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program autism program; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit under title XIX of the Social Security Act; Final Rule CMS 2249-F and CMS 2296-F, related to long-term services and supports through home and community-based service programs, all provisions.

Medicaid Funding Threats; Medicaid Reimbursement; Medicare Reimbursement; Long-Term Care Financing Reform; Medicare; opposition to the ADA Education and Reform Act (H.R 620); ABLE Age Adjustment Act (H.R. 1874); ABLE to Work Act (H.R 1896); ABLE Financial Planning Act (H.R. 1897/S. 816); Able Age Adjustment Act (S. 817); Disability Integration Act (H.R. 2472/S. 910); Extension of Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project and support for the Ensuring Medicaid Provides Opportunities for Widespread Equity, Resources, and Care Act (S.2227); assorted Health Information Technology and Telehealth Legislation; RAISE Family Caregiver Act (S. 1028/ H.R. 3759); Improving Access to Behavioral Health Information Technology Act (S. 1732/H.R. 3331) and CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1732/H.R. 2556); RAISE Family Caregiver Act (S. 1028/H.R. 3759); Strong Families Act (S. 1829); and other Extender Issues (Medicare Therapy Caps Repeal, Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program).

Client expense: $186,845 · Firm income: Not reported

ABLE Act improvement proposals (S. 818/H.R. 1896, S. 816/H.R. 1897 and S. 817/H.R. 1874)

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,500

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

S. 816/H.R. 1897, ABLE Financial Planning Act, relating to rollovers from 529 programs to ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.817/H.R. 1874, ABLE Age Adjustment Act, relating to the eligible age for ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.818/H.R. 1896, ABLE to Work Act of 2017, relating to contribution limits for ABLE account beneficiaries who work, all provisions

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

Government targets: Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE

Health care issues affecting individuals with neuromuscular disease, including transitional health care, drug development, and newborn screening. H.R.2430/S. 934/P.L. 115-52 - FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017; H.R. 1628 - the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017; the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA); H.R. 750 - Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2017; S. 818/H.R. 1896 - ABLE to Work Act; S. 816/H.R. 1897 - ABLE Financial Planning Act; S. 817/H.R. 1874 - ABLE Age Adjustment Act; H.R. 529 - 529 and ABLE Account Improvement Act; S. 379/H.R. 1171 - ALS Disability Insurance Act

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Implementation of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, P.L. 113-295 Improvements to ABLE Act ABLE Age Adjustment Act, S. 817 and H.R. 1874 ABLE Financial Planning Act, S. 816 and H.R. 1897 ABLE to Work Act, S. 818 and H.R. 1896 Tax Reform Principles Tax credit scholarships - Educational Opportunities Act (S. 148, H.R. 895)

Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

Preservation of Medicaid as an entitlement program and avoiding cuts, including per capita caps and block grants, opposing repeal of ACA & Medicaid Expansion. (American Health Care Act, HR 1628; BCRA) and all Senate substitutes to H.R. 1628. Implementation of and improving the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, P.L. 113-295 Implementation of the Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148 and P.L. 111-192 HCBS Settings Rule Transition to Independence Medicaid Buy-In Option. ABLE Age Adjustment Act, S. 817 and H.R. 1874 ABLE Financial Planning Act, S. 816 and H.R. 1897 ABLE to Work Act, S. 818 and H.R. 1896 Benefit Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act of 2017 (H.R. 2575) (S. 1909) Permanently repealing Medicare Therapy Caps (H.R. 807, S. 253) Improving Medicare local coverage decisions (H.R. 3655)

Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R. 1628, American Health Care Act of 2017/Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, relating to reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017, all provisions; S. 816/H.R. 1897, ABLE Financial Planning Act, relating to rollovers from 529 programs to ABLE accounts, all provisions; S. 817/H.R. 1874, ABLE Age Adjustment Act, relating to the eligible age for ABLE accounts, all provisions; S. 818/H.R. 1896, ABLE to Work Act of 2017, relating to contribution limits for ABLE account beneficiaries who work, all provisions; H.R. 2353, Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, relating to career and technical education, all provisions; S. 1028/H.R. 3759, RAISE Family Caregivers Act, relating to the development of a family caregiving strategy, all provisions; S. 1827, KIDS Act of 2017, relating to funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program, all provisions; H.R. 3921, HEALTHY KIDS Act, relating to funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program, all provisions; Public Law 110-315, Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, relating to post-secondary opportunities for students with autism, all provisions; Public Law 113-128, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, relating to workforce development, all provisions; Public Law 113-157, Autism CARES Act of 2014, relating to autism research and services, all provisions; implementation of the Affordable Care Act as it affects people with autism; education and employment of and health care and housing for people with autism; wandering by and safety of people with autism; Medicaid, Social Security, and other benefit programs that affect people with autism; early access to care for people with autism; GAO study related to the transition needs of and services for adults with autism; financing for long-term services and supports; appropriations for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program autism program; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit under title XIX of the Social Security Act; Final Rule CMS 2249-F and CMS 2296-F, related to long-term services and supports through home and community-based service programs, all provisions.

Medicaid Funding Threats; Medicaid Reimbursement; Medicare Reimbursement; Long-Term Care Financing Reform; Better Care Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1628); Medicare; The American Health Care Act and McConnell substitute the Better Care Reconciliation Act that was part of HR 1628; the ADA Education and Reform Act (H.R 620); An extension of Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project (No bill has been introduced yet.); ABLE Age Adjustment Act (H.R. 1874); ABLE to Work Act (H.R 1896); ABLE Financial Planning Act (H.R. 1897/S. 816); Able Age Adjustment Act (S. 817); Disability Integration Act (H.R. 2472/S. 910); Independence at Home Act (S. 464); assorted Health Information Technology and Telehealth Legislation; RAISE Family Caregiver Act (S. 1028); Medicare Observation Stay legislation; and other Extender Issues (Medicare Therapy Caps, Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program).

Client expense: $217,480 · Firm income: Not reported

ABLE Act improvement proposals (S. 818/H.R. 1896, S. 816/H.R. 1897 and S. 817/H.R. 1874)

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,500

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

S. 816/H.R. 1897, ABLE Financial Planning Act, relating to rollovers from 529 programs to ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.817/H.R. 1874, ABLE Age Adjustment Act, relating to the eligible age for ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.818/H.R. 1896, ABLE to Work Act of 2017, relating to contribution limits for ABLE account beneficiaries who work, all provisions

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

Government targets: Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE

Health care issues affecting individuals with neuromuscular disease, including transitional health care, drug development, and newborn screening. H.R.2430 - FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017; H.R. 1628 - the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017; the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA); H.R. 750 - Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2017; S. 818/H.R. 1896 - ABLE to Work Act; S. 816/H.R. 1897 - ABLE Financial Planning Act; S. 817/H.R. 1874 - ABLE Age Adjustment Act; H.R. 529 - 529 and ABLE Account Improvement Act; S. 379/H.R. 1171 - ALS Disability Insurance Act

Client expense: $120,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Implementation of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, P.L. 113-295 Improvements to ABLE Act ABLE Age Adjustment Act, S. 817 and H.R. 1874 ABLE Financial Planning Act, S. 816 and H.R. 1897 ABLE to Work Act, S. 818 and H.R. 1896 Tax Reform Principles

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of

Preservation of Medicaid as an entitlement program and avoiding cuts, including per capita caps and block grants, opposing repeal of ACA & Medicaid Expansion. (American Health Care Act, HR 1628; BCRA) Implementation of and improving the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, P.L. 113-295 Implementation of the Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148 and P.L. 111-192 HCBS Settings Rule Transition to Independence Medicaid Buy-In Option. ABLE Age Adjustment Act, S. 817 and H.R. 1874 ABLE Financial Planning Act, S. 816 and H.R. 1897 ABLE to Work Act, S. 818 and H.R. 1896 Benefit Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act of 2017 (H.R. 2575)

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of

H.R. 1628, American Health Care Act of 2017/Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, relating to reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017, all provisions; S. 816/H.R. 1897, ABLE Financial Planning Act, relating to rollovers from 529 programs to ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.817/H.R. 1874, ABLE Age Adjustment Act, relating to the eligible age for ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.818/H.R. 1896, ABLE to Work Act of 2017, relating to contribution limits for ABLE account beneficiaries who work, all provisions; H.R. 2353, Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, relating to career and technical education, all provisions; Public Law 110-315, Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, relating to post-secondary opportunities for students with autism, all provisions; Public Law 113-157, Autism CARES Act of 2014, relating to autism research and services, all provisions; Public Law 113-186, Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, relating to child care programs, provisions related to child care assistance; reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program; TRICARE services for children with autism; implementation of the Affordable Care Act as it affects people with autism; education and employment of and health care and housing for people with autism; wandering by and safety of people with autism; Medicaid, Social Security, and other benefit programs that affect people with autism; early access to care for people with autism; GAO study related to the transition needs of and services for adults with autism; financing for long-term services and supports; appropriations for Autism CARES and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program autism program; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit under title XIX of the Social Security Act

S. 816/H.R. 1897, ABLE Financial Planning Act, relating to rollovers from 529 programs to ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.817/H.R. 1874, ABLE Age Adjustment Act, relating to the eligible age for ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.818/H.R. 1896, ABLE to Work Act of 2017, relating to contribution limits for ABLE account beneficiaries who work, all provisions

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE

Health care issues affecting individuals with neuromuscular disease, including transitional health care, drug development, and appropriations issues, newborn screening, reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), and health care reform (H.R. 1628, American Health Care Act of 2017) H.R. 1223, Orphan Products Extension Now Accelerating Cures and Treatments Act of 2017 (OPEN Act); S. 486/H.R. 750, Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2015; S. 818/H.R. 1896, ABLE to Work Act; S. 816/H.R. 1897, ABLE Financial Planning Act; S. 817/H.R. 1874, ABLE Age Adjustment Act; H.R. 529, 529 and ABLE Account Improvement Act; S. 379/H.R. 1171, ALS Disability Insurance Act

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Preservation of Medicaid as an entitlement program and avoiding cuts, including per capita caps and block grants, opposing repeal of ACA & Medicaid Expansion. (American Health Care Act, HR 1628) Implementation of and improving the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, P.L. 113-295 Implementation of the Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148 and P.L. 111-192 HCBS Settings Rule Transition to Independence Medicaid Buy-In Option. ABLE Age Adjustment Act, S. 817 and H.R. 1874 ABLE Financial Planning Act, S. 816 and H.R. 1897 ABLE to Work Act, S. 818 and H.R. 1896 Money Follows the Person Program Extension

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

Implementation of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, P.L. 113-295 Improvements to ABLE Act ABLE Age Adjustment Act, S. 817 and H.R. 1874 ABLE Financial Planning Act, S. 816 and H.R. 1897 ABLE to Work Act, S. 818 and H.R. 1896 Tax Reform Principles Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act, H.R. 1659, S. 405

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

H.R. 1628, American Health Care Act of 2017, relating to reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017, all provisions; S. 816/H.R. 1897, ABLE Financial Planning Act, relating to rollovers from 529 programs to ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.817/H.R. 1874, ABLE Age Adjustment Act, relating to the eligible age for ABLE accounts, all provisions; S.818/H.R. 1896, ABLE to Work Act of 2017, relating to contribution limits for ABLE account beneficiaries who work, all provisions; S. 235, CHOICE Act, relating to opportunity through choice in education, all provisions; S. 191, Patient Freedom Act of 2017, relating to patient choice in health care, all provisions; Public Law 109-270, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, relating to career and technical education for students with disabilities, all provisions; Public Law 110-315, Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, relating to post-secondary opportunities for students with autism, all provisions; Public Law 113-157, Autism CARES Act of 2014, relating to autism research and services, all provisions; CMS final rule CMS 2249-F, relating to home and community-based services, all provisions; TRICARE services for children with autism; Federal Employees Health Benefits program as it affects people with autism; implementation of the Affordable Care Act as it affects people with autism; education and employment of and health care and housing for people with autism; wandering by and safety of people with autism; Medicaid, Social Security, and other benefit programs that affect people with autism; early access to care for people with autism; GAO study related to the transition needs of and services for adults with autism; financing for long-term services and supports; appropriations for Autism CARES and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program autism program; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit under title XIX of the Social Security Act; nomination of Tom Price