Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act of 2024

Joined comment letter written by the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation with information on the need for Medicare Advantage Site-Specific Data Collection, in response to an invitation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for stakeholder input on Medicare Advantage service line level data collection. Joined letter from the Consortium of Constituents with Disabilities to Congress supporting the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act (S.5070) which would raise the age limitation on Medicaid buy-in above the current limitation of 64 yrs, in recognition of older Americans who are working at 65 years and above due to economic need .

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Met with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in support of insurance coverage of bowel management supplies. Engaged with CMS contractors on the need for coverage of certain ostomy supplies. United Spinal supported a letter to members of the U. S. House of Representatives sent to The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator! Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to follow-up from their June 2023 letter to again express their gratitude for the recent decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover seat elevation systems in Group 3 power wheelchairs under Medicare. The Members also expressed continued concern that CMS has not yet initiated a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for standing systems in these wheelchairs. United Spinal endorsed a CPR/HAB Coalition comment letter in response to the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2026 Proposed Rule. United Spinal endorsed a CPR comment letter "Proposed Data Collection on Proprietary Guidelines and Medicare Advantage Plan Audit Protocol". United Spinal supports the S. 5070, the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act and signed onto a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities coalition letter in support.

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

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

-S. 5353/H.R. 10210, National Plan for Epilepsy Act, support passage. -Support legislation to increase access to home and community-based services. -S. 652/H.R. 2630, Safe Step Act, support passage. -S. 1375/H.R. 830, HELP Copays Act, support passage. -S. 1339, PBM Reform Act, support patient-centric reforms including addition of the Safe Step Act and HELP Copays Act. -H.R. 2880, Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act -Support preservation of Medicare Part Ds Six Protected Classes policy -Reauthorization of the Advance Premium Tax Credits -Support patient-centric implementation of Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap and the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan -Urge patient priorities like standardized health plans and network adequacy in the 2026 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters rule. -Ensure any regulation of cannabis protects safe and legal access -Ensure continued access to needed healthcare via telehealth including prescribing of epilepsy medications that are controlled substances -Requests to join the Congressional Epilepsy Caucus. -H.R. 824, the Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act, oppose passage. -Support H.R. 670, S. 4174, Think Differently Database Act -Support S. 4325, the Lifespan Respite Care Program Reauthorization Act -Support the parity of coverage of mental health treatments -Support legislation and regulations that incentivize the development of rare disease treatments -Support the Clinical Trial Modernization Act -Support legislation and regulations that help to advance health equity for people with epilepsy -S. 5065/H.R. 9635, Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act, support passage -Support legislation and regulations that would ban the use of electric shock devices that apply a shock to a persons skin to reduce or cease self-injurious or aggressive behaviors, including supporting the immediate release of a final rule -Supporting legislation and regulations that protect the current structure of the National Institutes of Health -Support legislation and regulations to keep insurance brokers accountable -Support H.R. 7573, Stop Medicaid Recovery Act -Support legislation and regulations on continuous eligibility in Medicaid -Support H.R. 4758/S.2372, Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act -Support legislation and regulations to streamline prior authorization processes -Support the creation of an Office of Caregiving at the Department of Health and Human Services -Comments on Medicare $2 Drug List Model -Support legislation and regulations to reduce the burden of medical debt -Support legislation and regulation on the responsible use of AI in healthcare -Support S.5070, the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act -Support H.R. 7384/S. 4583, The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act -Support the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program -Oppose any cuts to Medicaid as part of reconciliation

H.R. 2941/S.1332, Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, all provisions H.R. 2965/S.1333, Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 3380, HEADs UP Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 5408/S.2767, SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, all provisions H.R. 5893, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, provisions related to funding for Kevin and Avontes Law H.R. 5894, Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, provisions related to funding autism research and services at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration; assistive technology programs and special education at the Department of Education H.R. 7213/S.4762, Autism CARES Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 7300, Family-to-Family Reauthorization Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 8774, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025, provisions related to the congressionally directed medical research autism research program H.R. 9026, Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and for other purposes, provisions related to funding for Kevin and Avontes Law H.R. 9028, Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and for other purposes, a proposal for research at the Department of Housing and Urban Development on autism and housing H.R. 9029, Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and for other purposes, provisions related to funding autism research and services at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration; assistive technology programs, vocational rehabilitation, and special education programs at the Department of Education S. 4539/H.R. 9614, ENABLE Act, all provisions S.4921 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025, provisions related to the congressionally directed medical research autism research program S.4942 - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, provisions related to funding autism research and services at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration; assistive technology programs, vocational rehabilitation and special education programs at the Department of Education S.4796 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 a provision related to research at the Department of Housing and Urban Development on autism and housing S. 3076, Disability Employment Incentive Act, all provisions S. 2522/H.R. 5102, ABLE Match Act, all provisions S. 4910, ABLE Awareness Act, all provisions S. 4911, ABLE Employment Flexibility Act, all provisions S. 3528, Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act, all provisions H.R. 2706/S. 1183, CharlotteWoodwardOrgan Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, all provisions H.R. 670/S. 4741, ThinkDifferentlyDatabase Act, all provisions S. 5070, The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act, all provisions S.5378, EASE with 211 Act, all provisions H.R.10296, ABLE Tomorrow Act, all provisions H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, provisions related to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities Advocacy with the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, and Office of Management and Budget related to electrical stimulation devices A proposal for the creation of an Office of Caregiver Health at the Department of Health and Human Services A bill not yet introduced to enhance incentives to create accessible and inclusive workplaces

H.R. 2941/S.1332, Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, all provisions H.R. 2965/S.1333, Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 3380, HEADs UP Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 5408/S.2767, SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, all provisions H.R. 5893, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, provisions related to funding for Kevin and Avontes Law H.R. 5894, Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, provisions related to funding autism research and services at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration; assistive technology programs and special education at the Department of Education H.R. 7213/S.4762, Autism CARES Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 7300, Family-to-Family Reauthorization Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 8774, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025, provisions related to the congressionally directed medical research autism research program H.R. 9026, Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and for other purposes, provisions related to funding for Kevin and Avontes Law H.R. 9028, Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and for other purposes, a proposal for research at the Department of Housing and Urban Development on autism and housing H.R. 9029, Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and for other purposes, provisions related to funding autism research and services at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration; assistive technology programs, vocational rehabilitation, and special education programs at the Department of Education S. 4539/H.R. 9614, ENABLE Act, all provisions S.4921 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025, provisions related to the congressionally directed medical research autism research program S.4942 - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, provisions related to funding autism research and services at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration; assistive technology programs, vocational rehabilitation and special education programs at the Department of Education S.4796 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 a provision related to research at the Department of Housing and Urban Development on autism and housing S. 3076, Disability Employment Incentive Act, all provisions S. 2522/H.R. 5102, ABLE Match Act, all provisions S. 4910, ABLE Awareness Act, all provisions S. 4911, ABLE Employment Flexibility Act, all provisions S. 3528, Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act, all provisions H.R. 2706/S. 1183, CharlotteWoodwardOrgan Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, all provisions H.R. 670/S. 4741, ThinkDifferentlyDatabase Act, all provisions S. 5070, The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act, all provisions S.5378, EASE with 211 Act, all provisions H.R.10296, ABLE Tomorrow Act, all provisions H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, provisions related to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities Advocacy with the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, and Office of Management and Budget related to electrical stimulation devices A proposal for the creation of an Office of Caregiver Health at the Department of Health and Human Services A bill not yet introduced to enhance incentives to create accessible and inclusive workplaces

Support for the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (S. 1332 / H.R. 2941), to urge the Office of Management and Budget to revise the Standard Occupational Classification system to establish a separate code for direct support professionals. Support for HCBS Relief Act (S. 3118/ H.R. 6296), which would authorize increased federal match for states for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services. Support for the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act of 2024 (S. 5070 / H.R. 8107), removing certain age restrictions on Medicaid for working adults over the age of 65 with disabilities Think Differently Database Act (S. 4174/H.R. 670), requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an online clearinghouse of resources and other information for individuals with an intellectual disability (and their caregivers and families) that is searchable by zip code Care for Military Kids Act/To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to add a Medicaid State plan requirement with respect to the determination of residency of certain individuals serving in the Armed Forces. (S.5417/H.R. 8108) Requires States to continue to provide Medicaid coverage for (or retain waiting list placement for) active-duty military families who are receiving home and community-based services (or are on the waitlist to receive such services) in the event that the family moves out of state for military relocation. American Relief Act of 2025 (H.R. 10545), Advocated for inclusion of H.R. 8107 in H.R. 10545

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

Support for the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S. 2767 / H.R.7138), legislation to increase the asset limitation for qualifying for SSI. Support for the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act of 2024 (S. 5070 / H.R. 8107), removing certain age restrictions on Medicaid for working adults over the age of 65 with disabilities

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

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Research into spinal muscular atrophy, timely access to care, treatments, medical devices, and home and community-based services, newborn screening, newborn screening funding, coverage of rare disease treatments, care, and devices, including intermittent catheter (IC) coding, HCBS Access Act (H.R. 1493, S. 762), BENEFIT Act (H.R. 1092, S. 526), Safe Step Act (S. 652, H.R. 2630), Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act of 2023 (H.R. 485), Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce & Family Caregivers Act (S. 1298), Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act (S.4120/H.R.7994); HCBS Relief Act (S. 3118, H.R. 6296); Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (S. 1332), Medicaid unwinding protections for people with SMA and other disabilities, direct care workforce shortage, healthcare discrimination (i.e., quality adjusted life years), Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (H.R. 1691); Creating Hope Reauthorization Act (H.R.7384/ S. 4583) - FDA priority review voucher program, healthcare utilization protocols (i.e., prior authorization and step therapy), Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (111-148), Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169), Supporting accessible medical diagnostic equipment, Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act (H.R. 2706/S. 1183), Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act (H.R. 6160), Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act (H.R. 7573), accessible medical diagnostic equipment, durable medical equipment, intermittent catheter coding, FDA Rare Disease Center of Excellence, Think Differently Database Act (H.R.670/ S. 4174), Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act ((H.R.4758/S.2372); Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act (H.R.8107/ S.5070); Defense Health Research Programs (Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs)

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

Medicaid home and community-based services, continuation of HCBS services following the public health emergency, Medicaid unwinding, healthcare access and coverage, including to patient preferred treatment, assistive technology devices, accessible diagnostic equipment, and durable medical equipment, such as power wheelchairs and power wheelchair features such as seat elevators and standing systems, intermittent catheter coding, HCBS Access Act (H.R. 1493, S. 762), HCBS Relief Act (S. 3118, H.R. 6296), Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce & Family Caregivers Act (S. 1298), Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (S.1332), Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act (H.R. 7573), Long-term Care Workforce Support Act ((S.4120/H.R.7994), Creating Hope Reauthorization Act (H.R.7384/ S. 4583); Think Differently Database Act (H.R.670/ S. 4174); Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act (H.R.8107 / S. 5070)

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

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

S. 3109/H.R. 8018, the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act. S. 3766/H.R. 7274, the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act. No bill number. Discussed funding for SHIP low-income outreach and enrollment programs. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Advantage and health savings accounts. H.R.7623/S.3697, the Telehealth Modernization Act. S. 5070/H.R. 8107, the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2025. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System for calendar year 2025. No bill number. Discussed Fiscal Year 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update. No bill number. Discussed Medicare open enrollment. H.R. 8702/S.4532, the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024. H.R. 8331/S. 4280, the Essential Caregivers Act. H.J.Res.139, Providing for Congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting. S.J.Res.91, A joint resolution providing for Congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting" H.R. 8244, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act. S.1749/H.R. 3227, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act. S.3410/H.R. 7513, the Protecting Americas Seniors Access to Care Act. H.R. 468, the Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act. H.R. 9067, the Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act. S. 5023, the Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act. S.1190, the Direct Support Worker Training Reimbursement Act of 2023. S.1196, the Mollie Baldwin Upskilling of Personal and Home Care Aides Act of 2023. S.1192, the CADSAW Act of 2023. No bill number. Discussed Medicaid home and community-based services and presumptive eligibility and self-directed services. No bill number. Discussed Caregiver Training Services. No bill number. Discussed GUIDE Model. No bill number. Discussed Medicare, Medicaid, and family caregivers. No bill number. Discussed Medicaid access final rule. H.R. 8108, the Care for Military Kids Act. H. R. 8106, to increase transparency and expand coverage options for home and community-based services under a Medicaid waiver. No bill number. Discussed long-term care. H.R. 9803, the Hospice Care Act.

Support for the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S. 2767 / H.R.7138), legislation to increase the asset limitation for qualifying for SSI. Support for the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act of 2024 (S. 5070 / H.R. 8107), removing certain age restrictions on Medicaid for working adults over the age of 65 with disabilities

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE