DANIELLE APPLEGATE

Support H.R. 4870/S. 2629, United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019, to ensure full support and timely deployment of the Ready Reserve of the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and amends the Commissioned Corps and Ready Reserve Corps through providing a technical fix to an existing authorization. Signed onto letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission strongly discouraging the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) from proceeding with its proposed rule affecting the system for regulating market dominant postal rates and classifications. As proposed, this rule would significantly impair the ability of our member organizations to meet the challenges faced by communities that have served and sacrificed for our national security (Docket RM2017-3). Supporting S.2981 and H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2019. Support Care for the Veteran Caregiver Act (H.R. 5701). Signed on to letters of support to both Senate and House Committees on Appropriations requesting that the Vision Research Program (VRP) be funded at $30 million for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Signed on to letter to the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations in support of securing the necessary resources to support the continued work by the treatment-focused Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) funded within the Department of Defense (DoD). Submitted letter to House and Senate Armed Service Committees in support of S.3503, which provides VA with the authority it needs to administer VA education benefits without disruption as schools across the nation respond to COVID-19. Signed letter of support for the Major Richard Star Act H.R. 5995, and the Senate companion bill S.3393. Signed letter of support to House and Senate for waiving co-payments for Tricare mail-order prescriptions.

COVID-19 Advocacy/CARES Act Support A one-year expansion of federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. An expansion of the paid leave program to cover family caregiving of adults with disabilities, which would allow all family members, not just parents, to take paid leave for caregiving. Additional pay of up to $10,000 for personal care attendants, home health aides, and direct support professionals for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional round of Economic Impact Payments, resolving bureaucratic issues for SSI, SSDI, and VA benefits recipients, and fixing an issue that left adult dependents ineligible for these payments. A requirement that that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) make specific plans to ensure that COVID-19 testing is accessible to people with disabilities and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. A requirement that States ensure that absentee or mail-in ballots are accessible for people with disabilities. Support All Dependent Children Count Act introduced by Rep. Craig in the House (H.R. 6420), and Sen. Smiths All Dependents Count Act, S. 3652. Support H.R. 6680 which would disregard unemployment benefits from eligibility consideration for means-tested programs such as SSI and SNAP - Strengthening UI for Coronavirus Impacted Workers and Students Act. Department of Health and Human Services Supported letter to Secretary Azar and Director Severino to express our strong and urgent support for the Departments Office for Civil Rights to issue additional guidance to ensure that schemes to ration scarce health care resources during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic comply with federal nondiscrimination laws. Justice in Aging request HHS Secretary Azar to Remove Barriers for Medicare Enrollment During COVID Pandemic United Spinal joined Justice in Aging and numerous organizations requesting the Department of Health and Human Services take action to remove barriers and to streamline enrollment in health insurance coverage for low-income older adults and people with disabilities who are at highest risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19. United Spinal advocated to exempt non-invasive ventilators from Medicares competitive bidding program which limits choice for consumers and cuts reimbursement to Medicare providers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the wrong time to place additional restrictions on access to life-saving equipment. United Spinal sent in its own letter to Congress along with other stakeholders such as the ALS Association and the company RESMED. As a CCD Rights Task Force co-chair, United Spinal advocacy and policy staff signed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, CMS Administrator Seema Verma, and CDC Director Robert Redfield urging them to collect and report data on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, including numbers of tests, testing rates, numbers and rates of positive tests, hospitalizations, deaths and death rates, recoveries, transfers from community living to institutional settings and discharges from institutional settings, and analysis of that data to identify trends and correlational factors. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff provided comments as part of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) to Senator Warren (D-MA) and Reps. Pressley (D-MA) & Kelly (D-IL) on a bill to require the CDC to collect and report demographic data related to COVID-19; we urged them to include data collection on disability factors. oOn April 14, Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Robin Kelly, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others introduced the Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect and report racial, ethnic, and other demographic data on COVID testing, treatment, and fatality rates. The introduced legislation did mention disability but did not include significant focus on the importance of disability data collection. oMembers of the DRRC, which includes United Spinal, along with other stakeholders, drafted revisions to the legislation. The edits were intended to achieve three purposes: 1) integrate the concerns and interests of the disability community throughout the bill to ensure that disability rights are universally considered civil rights, 2) include on the mandated data collection commission agencies with disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research portfolios, and 3) authorize targeted COVID research funding to NIDILRR comparable to the targeted funding provided to other research agencies. These edits were shared with Sen. Warrens office along with other congressional disability champions, including Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). Following work in March that resulted in Federal guidance being issued by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services to remind States and health care providers of their responsibilities under Federal law not to discriminate against people with disabilities in providing health care, United Spinal signed onto a guidance document developed by the disability community outlining principles for states and health care providers to follow in adhering to the Federal guidance. United Spinal also joined over 400 organizations in calling on HHS for additional Federal guidance on nondiscrimination in health care to be issued by OCR. United Spinal, as a member of the ITEM Coalition Steering Committee, endorsed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar urging for improved access to this treatment. We have written to CMS before about the complex and burdensome billing requirements associated with the dNPWT benefit that have resulted in decreased patient access to this important treatment. Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a Steering Committee member of CPR endorsed comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services highlighting important provisions of benefit to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries: Revisions to supplemental benefits for beneficiaries with chronic conditions (SSBCI), Network adequacy requirements for MA plans, Star rating program enhancements, and New tools for beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program (Part D). PCHAlliance Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a member of PCHAlliance signed onto this coalitions letter: Interoperable, connected health, requires a broad ecosystem of shared digital health information. It is particularly noteworthy that this proposed rule advances Medicare Advantage coverage of patient centered digital, interoperable, connected healthcare. PCHAlliance members support the advancement of evidence based connected health. CMS work to develop and ensure appropriate use of connected care is particularly noteworthy as one of the key enablers of modernizing Medicare for the use of evidence based connected care is to improve patient outcomes. United Spinal comments on FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework United Spinal provided comments on the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) Request for Information on the FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework, in support of strengthening and advancing disability and rehabilitation research and included support of the comments submitted by the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition, of which United Spinal Association is a member. United Spinal supports COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act - S. 3740. United Spinal supports Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act - S. 3768. United States Postal Services (USPS) - COVID-19 United Spinal signed onto a letter, facilitated by AARP, to House and Senate leadership in support of USPS continued funding in order to provide the vital services that millions of Americans, especially older Americans and those with chronic conditions, depend upon, especially during this pandemic, as it relates to pharmacy and medical supplies needs as well as access to voting. United Spinal sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Aging Committee thanking them for holding a hearing examining the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on nursing homes and urging them to engage the disability community as they seek solutions. Support increased appropriations funding for the SCI Model Systems under the NIDILRR grant. Support continued appropriations funding for CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Value-Based Purchasing Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 [CMS-1737-P, RIN: 0938-AU13] - Concerns with the Patient-Driven Payment Model. CPR continues to be concerned with the observed and ongoing impact of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) implemented in the SNF PPS effective October 1, 2019. CMS implemented this new case-mix classification model to group patients admitted to SNFs during covered Medicare Part A stays, replacing the Resource Utilization Group, Version IV (RUG-IV) system. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Rule [CMS-1729-P; RIN 0938-AU05]. Under this proposal, non-physician practitioners would be able to conduct or designate another certified clinician to conduct the preadmission screening (PAS), review and concur with the findings of the preadmission screening, conduct the post-admission physician evaluation (PAPE), which CMS proposes to eliminate, lead the required weekly interdisciplinary team meetings, conduct required face-to-face visits with the patient, and develop and modify the patients plan of care. In sum, CMS proposes to defer to the IRF to determine whether a non-physician practitioner has sufficient specialized training and experience in inpatient rehabilitation to essentially fulfill the role of the rehabilitation physician. CPR views this proposal as a major broadside attack on the integrity and value of care provided by inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and units. We strongly oppose this proposal and believe that, if finalized, it would materially undercut IRF care and decrease the level and quality of care provided in an IRF, potentially causing significant harm to patients with complex conditions who need an intensive, coordinated, interdisciplinary course of inpatient hospital-level rehabilitation treatment.

COVID-19 Advocacy/CARES Act Support A one-year expansion of federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. An expansion of the paid leave program to cover family caregiving of adults with disabilities, which would allow all family members, not just parents, to take paid leave for caregiving. Additional pay of up to $10,000 for personal care attendants, home health aides, and direct support professionals for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional round of Economic Impact Payments, resolving bureaucratic issues for SSI, SSDI, and VA benefits recipients, and fixing an issue that left adult dependents ineligible for these payments. A requirement that that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) make specific plans to ensure that COVID-19 testing is accessible to people with disabilities and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. A requirement that States ensure that absentee or mail-in ballots are accessible for people with disabilities. Support All Dependent Children Count Act introduced by Rep. Craig in the House (H.R. 6420), and Sen. Smiths All Dependents Count Act, S. 3652. Support H.R. 6680 which would disregard unemployment benefits from eligibility consideration for means-tested programs such as SSI and SNAP - Strengthening UI for Coronavirus Impacted Workers and Students Act. Department of Health and Human Services Supported letter to Secretary Azar and Director Severino to express our strong and urgent support for the Departments Office for Civil Rights to issue additional guidance to ensure that schemes to ration scarce health care resources during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic comply with federal nondiscrimination laws. Justice in Aging request HHS Secretary Azar to Remove Barriers for Medicare Enrollment During COVID Pandemic United Spinal joined Justice in Aging and numerous organizations requesting the Department of Health and Human Services take action to remove barriers and to streamline enrollment in health insurance coverage for low-income older adults and people with disabilities who are at highest risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19. United Spinal advocated to exempt non-invasive ventilators from Medicares competitive bidding program which limits choice for consumers and cuts reimbursement to Medicare providers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the wrong time to place additional restrictions on access to life-saving equipment. United Spinal sent in its own letter to Congress along with other stakeholders such as the ALS Association and the company RESMED. As a CCD Rights Task Force co-chair, United Spinal advocacy and policy staff signed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, CMS Administrator Seema Verma, and CDC Director Robert Redfield urging them to collect and report data on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, including numbers of tests, testing rates, numbers and rates of positive tests, hospitalizations, deaths and death rates, recoveries, transfers from community living to institutional settings and discharges from institutional settings, and analysis of that data to identify trends and correlational factors. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff provided comments as part of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) to Senator Warren (D-MA) and Reps. Pressley (D-MA) & Kelly (D-IL) on a bill to require the CDC to collect and report demographic data related to COVID-19; we urged them to include data collection on disability factors. oOn April 14, Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Robin Kelly, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others introduced the Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect and report racial, ethnic, and other demographic data on COVID testing, treatment, and fatality rates. The introduced legislation did mention disability but did not include significant focus on the importance of disability data collection. oMembers of the DRRC, which includes United Spinal, along with other stakeholders, drafted revisions to the legislation. The edits were intended to achieve three purposes: 1) integrate the concerns and interests of the disability community throughout the bill to ensure that disability rights are universally considered civil rights, 2) include on the mandated data collection commission agencies with disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research portfolios, and 3) authorize targeted COVID research funding to NIDILRR comparable to the targeted funding provided to other research agencies. These edits were shared with Sen. Warrens office along with other congressional disability champions, including Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). Following work in March that resulted in Federal guidance being issued by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services to remind States and health care providers of their responsibilities under Federal law not to discriminate against people with disabilities in providing health care, United Spinal signed onto a guidance document developed by the disability community outlining principles for states and health care providers to follow in adhering to the Federal guidance. United Spinal also joined over 400 organizations in calling on HHS for additional Federal guidance on nondiscrimination in health care to be issued by OCR. United Spinal, as a member of the ITEM Coalition Steering Committee, endorsed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar urging for improved access to this treatment. We have written to CMS before about the complex and burdensome billing requirements associated with the dNPWT benefit that have resulted in decreased patient access to this important treatment. Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a Steering Committee member of CPR endorsed comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services highlighting important provisions of benefit to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries: Revisions to supplemental benefits for beneficiaries with chronic conditions (SSBCI), Network adequacy requirements for MA plans, Star rating program enhancements, and New tools for beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program (Part D). PCHAlliance Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a member of PCHAlliance signed onto this coalitions letter: Interoperable, connected health, requires a broad ecosystem of shared digital health information. It is particularly noteworthy that this proposed rule advances Medicare Advantage coverage of patient centered digital, interoperable, connected healthcare. PCHAlliance members support the advancement of evidence based connected health. CMS work to develop and ensure appropriate use of connected care is particularly noteworthy as one of the key enablers of modernizing Medicare for the use of evidence based connected care is to improve patient outcomes. United Spinal comments on FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework United Spinal provided comments on the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) Request for Information on the FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework, in support of strengthening and advancing disability and rehabilitation research and included support of the comments submitted by the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition, of which United Spinal Association is a member. United Spinal supports COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act - S. 3740. United Spinal supports Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act - S. 3768. United States Postal Services (USPS) - COVID-19 United Spinal signed onto a letter, facilitated by AARP, to House and Senate leadership in support of USPS continued funding in order to provide the vital services that millions of Americans, especially older Americans and those with chronic conditions, depend upon, especially during this pandemic, as it relates to pharmacy and medical supplies needs as well as access to voting. United Spinal sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Aging Committee thanking them for holding a hearing examining the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on nursing homes and urging them to engage the disability community as they seek solutions. Support increased appropriations funding for the SCI Model Systems under the NIDILRR grant. Support continued appropriations funding for CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Value-Based Purchasing Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 [CMS-1737-P, RIN: 0938-AU13] - Concerns with the Patient-Driven Payment Model. CPR continues to be concerned with the observed and ongoing impact of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) implemented in the SNF PPS effective October 1, 2019. CMS implemented this new case-mix classification model to group patients admitted to SNFs during covered Medicare Part A stays, replacing the Resource Utilization Group, Version IV (RUG-IV) system. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Rule [CMS-1729-P; RIN 0938-AU05]. Under this proposal, non-physician practitioners would be able to conduct or designate another certified clinician to conduct the preadmission screening (PAS), review and concur with the findings of the preadmission screening, conduct the post-admission physician evaluation (PAPE), which CMS proposes to eliminate, lead the required weekly interdisciplinary team meetings, conduct required face-to-face visits with the patient, and develop and modify the patients plan of care. In sum, CMS proposes to defer to the IRF to determine whether a non-physician practitioner has sufficient specialized training and experience in inpatient rehabilitation to essentially fulfill the role of the rehabilitation physician. CPR views this proposal as a major broadside attack on the integrity and value of care provided by inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and units. We strongly oppose this proposal and believe that, if finalized, it would materially undercut IRF care and decrease the level and quality of care provided in an IRF, potentially causing significant harm to patients with complex conditions who need an intensive, coordinated, interdisciplinary course of inpatient hospital-level rehabilitation treatment.

Veterans: House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees Supported letter to Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Tester, Chairman Takano, and Ranking Member Roe requesting an immediate increase of 25% for catastrophically disabled veterans who receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)/Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit to cover the increased costs of PPE for their caregivers. Supported letter to Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Tester, Chairman Takano, and Ranking Member Roe outlining our 16 priorities and recommendations for the COVID19 relief packages. Supported letter to Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Tester, Chairman Takano, and Ranking Member Roe expressing our support for H.R. 6957, National Guard 5 COVID-19 Earned Benefits Guarantee Act that directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to treat a period of full-time National Guard duty as not shorter than 90 days when performed in response to the COVID-19 national emergency proclamation dated March 13, 2020. Veterans: Department of Veterans Affairs Supported a letter urging Secretary Wilkie to hold for-profit colleges targeting student veterans accountable under 38 USC 3696 for their predatory practices. Postal: Senate and House Signed letter to Sen McConnell, Sen Schumer, Rep Pelosi, Rep McCarthy urging support to ensure there is no disruption in U.S. Postal Service (USPS) during this critical time. The USPS is providing essential services to many Americans, including members of the military and veteran communities. Veterans: Department of Veterans Affairs Supported a letter urging Secretary Wilkie to hold for-profit colleges targeting student veterans accountable under 38 USC 3696 for their predatory practices.

Received briefing from VA officials in the Office of Connected Care regarding the rollouts of CCN, and the change in Third-Party Administrators. Raised concerns. Participated in White House roundtable and release of the PREVENTS Roadmap, outlining a national level response to ending suicide in the military and veteran population. Meeting with VA VBA to discuss the full digital acceptance and move towards complete automation at the VA, particularly towards complete digitization of all inbound mail, and the discontinuation of fax machines for disability services and claims as of 9 January 2020. Provided comments to VA on the VAs Caregiver expansion program - an intermediary addition of population to the caregiving community that implements a new financial management system (CARMA) and over 1,000 employees to manage the system. Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). Support NDAA priorities with House and Senate. Support Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020/S. 4393. Provided comments on FCC letter addressing Lifeline expansion in the middle of a pandemic: FCC wanted providers to offer twice the data at half the cost by the end of the year. Per briefing from VA re consolidated pharmacy mailing system that VA. Raised concerns with delivery of prescription drugs during pandemic. Engaged with the DHS CBP Veteran Task Force to outline an educational supplement for their train-the-trainer nationwide peer support group. Discussed VetsFirst as a resource and call center. Support S.785 Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. Share comments of support with House and Senate. Support H.R. 8247 Veterans Compact Act.

Support H.R. 4870/S. 2629, United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019, to ensure full support and timely deployment of the Ready Reserve of the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and amends the Commissioned Corps and Ready Reserve Corps through providing a technical fix to an existing authorization. Signed onto letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission strongly discouraging the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) from proceeding with its proposed rule affecting the system for regulating market dominant postal rates and classifications. As proposed, this rule would significantly impair the ability of our member organizations to meet the challenges faced by communities that have served and sacrificed for our national security (Docket RM2017-3). Supporting S.2981 and H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2019. Support Care for the Veteran Caregiver Act (H.R. 5701). Signed on to letters of support to both Senate and House Committees on Appropriations requesting that the Vision Research Program (VRP) be funded at $30 million for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Signed on to letter to the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations in support of securing the necessary resources to support the continued work by the treatment-focused Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) funded within the Department of Defense (DoD). Submitted letter to House and Senate Armed Service Committees in support of S.3503, which provides VA with the authority it needs to administer VA education benefits without disruption as schools across the nation respond to COVID-19. Signed letter of support for the Major Richard Star Act H.R. 5995, and the Senate companion bill S.3393. Signed letter of support to House and Senate for waiving co-payments for Tricare mail-order prescriptions.

Support Sec. 9 of the CONNECT for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932) in the upcoming COVID-19 supplemental legislation Supported submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission regarding Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197, 96-45, 17-287 EMERGENCY REQUEST FOR INCREASED LIFELINE SUPPORT DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS. The Chairmans Keep Americans Connected Pledge and Federal Communications Commissions (FCC or Commission) decision to temporarily waive recertification and reverification requirements for existing Lifeline customers were laudable first steps in the early days of the crisis, but more is needed as the extent and length of the emergency becomes evident. United Spinal provided edits to a Health Innovation Alliance letter to Congress on interoperability; medical devices and access to care for people with disabilities. The letter outlined a mechanism to create a modern regulatory framework that governs health data privacy and interoperability.

Support H.R. 4870/S. 2629, United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019, to ensure full support and timely deployment of the Ready Reserve of the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and amends the Commissioned Corps and Ready Reserve Corps through providing a technical fix to an existing authorization. Signed onto letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission strongly discouraging the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) from proceeding with its proposed rule affecting the system for regulating market dominant postal rates and classifications. As proposed, this rule would significantly impair the ability of our member organizations to meet the challenges faced by communities that have served and sacrificed for our national security (Docket RM2017-3). Supporting S.2981 and H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2019. Support Care for the Veteran Caregiver Act (H.R. 5701). Signed on to letters of support to both Senate and House Committees on Appropriations requesting that the Vision Research Program (VRP) be funded at $30 million for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Signed on to letter to the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations in support of securing the necessary resources to support the continued work by the treatment-focused Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) funded within the Department of Defense (DoD). Submitted letter to House and Senate Armed Service Committees in support of S.3503, which provides VA with the authority it needs to administer VA education benefits without disruption as schools across the nation respond to COVID-19. Signed letter of support for the Major Richard Star Act H.R. 5995, and the Senate companion bill S.3393. Signed letter of support to House and Senate for waiving co-payments for Tricare mail-order prescriptions.

Support H.R. 4870/S. 2629, United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019, to ensure full support and timely deployment of the Ready Reserve of the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and amends the Commissioned Corps and Ready Reserve Corps through providing a technical fix to an existing authorization. Signed onto letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission strongly discouraging the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) from proceeding with its proposed rule affecting the system for regulating market dominant postal rates and classifications. As proposed, this rule would significantly impair the ability of our member organizations to meet the challenges faced by communities that have served and sacrificed for our national security (Docket RM2017-3). Supporting S.2981 and H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2019. Support Care for the Veteran Caregiver Act (H.R. 5701). Signed on to letters of support to both Senate and House Committees on Appropriations requesting that the Vision Research Program (VRP) be funded at $30 million for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Signed on to letter to the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations in support of securing the necessary resources to support the continued work by the treatment-focused Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) funded within the Department of Defense (DoD). Submitted letter to House and Senate Armed Service Committees in support of S.3503, which provides VA with the authority it needs to administer VA education benefits without disruption as schools across the nation respond to COVID-19. Signed letter of support for the Major Richard Star Act H.R. 5995, and the Senate companion bill S.3393. Signed letter of support to House and Senate for waiving co-payments for Tricare mail-order prescriptions.

Support H.R. 4870/S. 2629, United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019, to ensure full support and timely deployment of the Ready Reserve of the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and amends the Commissioned Corps and Ready Reserve Corps through providing a technical fix to an existing authorization. Signed onto letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission strongly discouraging the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) from proceeding with its proposed rule affecting the system for regulating market dominant postal rates and classifications. As proposed, this rule would significantly impair the ability of our member organizations to meet the challenges faced by communities that have served and sacrificed for our national security (Docket RM2017-3). Supporting S.2981 and H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2019. Support Care for the Veteran Caregiver Act (H.R. 5701). Signed on to letters of support to both Senate and House Committees on Appropriations requesting that the Vision Research Program (VRP) be funded at $30 million for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Signed on to letter to the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations in support of securing the necessary resources to support the continued work by the treatment-focused Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) funded within the Department of Defense (DoD). Submitted letter to House and Senate Armed Service Committees in support of S.3503, which provides VA with the authority it needs to administer VA education benefits without disruption as schools across the nation respond to COVID-19. Signed letter of support for the Major Richard Star Act H.R. 5995, and the Senate companion bill S.3393. Signed letter of support to House and Senate for waiving co-payments for Tricare mail-order prescriptions.

COVID-19 Advocacy/CARES Act Support A one-year expansion of federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. An expansion of the paid leave program to cover family caregiving of adults with disabilities, which would allow all family members, not just parents, to take paid leave for caregiving. Additional pay of up to $10,000 for personal care attendants, home health aides, and direct support professionals for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional round of Economic Impact Payments, resolving bureaucratic issues for SSI, SSDI, and VA benefits recipients, and fixing an issue that left adult dependents ineligible for these payments. A requirement that that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) make specific plans to ensure that COVID-19 testing is accessible to people with disabilities and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. A requirement that States ensure that absentee or mail-in ballots are accessible for people with disabilities. Support All Dependent Children Count Act introduced by Rep. Craig in the House (H.R. 6420), and Sen. Smiths All Dependents Count Act, S. 3652. Support H.R. 6680 which would disregard unemployment benefits from eligibility consideration for means-tested programs such as SSI and SNAP - Strengthening UI for Coronavirus Impacted Workers and Students Act. Department of Health and Human Services Supported letter to Secretary Azar and Director Severino to express our strong and urgent support for the Departments Office for Civil Rights to issue additional guidance to ensure that schemes to ration scarce health care resources during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic comply with federal nondiscrimination laws. Justice in Aging request HHS Secretary Azar to Remove Barriers for Medicare Enrollment During COVID Pandemic United Spinal joined Justice in Aging and numerous organizations requesting the Department of Health and Human Services take action to remove barriers and to streamline enrollment in health insurance coverage for low-income older adults and people with disabilities who are at highest risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19. United Spinal advocated to exempt non-invasive ventilators from Medicares competitive bidding program which limits choice for consumers and cuts reimbursement to Medicare providers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the wrong time to place additional restrictions on access to life-saving equipment. United Spinal sent in its own letter to Congress along with other stakeholders such as the ALS Association and the company RESMED. As a CCD Rights Task Force co-chair, United Spinal advocacy and policy staff signed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, CMS Administrator Seema Verma, and CDC Director Robert Redfield urging them to collect and report data on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, including numbers of tests, testing rates, numbers and rates of positive tests, hospitalizations, deaths and death rates, recoveries, transfers from community living to institutional settings and discharges from institutional settings, and analysis of that data to identify trends and correlational factors. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff provided comments as part of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) to Senator Warren (D-MA) and Reps. Pressley (D-MA) & Kelly (D-IL) on a bill to require the CDC to collect and report demographic data related to COVID-19; we urged them to include data collection on disability factors. oOn April 14, Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Robin Kelly, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others introduced the Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect and report racial, ethnic, and other demographic data on COVID testing, treatment, and fatality rates. The introduced legislation did mention disability but did not include significant focus on the importance of disability data collection. oMembers of the DRRC, which includes United Spinal, along with other stakeholders, drafted revisions to the legislation. The edits were intended to achieve three purposes: 1) integrate the concerns and interests of the disability community throughout the bill to ensure that disability rights are universally considered civil rights, 2) include on the mandated data collection commission agencies with disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research portfolios, and 3) authorize targeted COVID research funding to NIDILRR comparable to the targeted funding provided to other research agencies. These edits were shared with Sen. Warrens office along with other congressional disability champions, including Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). Following work in March that resulted in Federal guidance being issued by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services to remind States and health care providers of their responsibilities under Federal law not to discriminate against people with disabilities in providing health care, United Spinal signed onto a guidance document developed by the disability community outlining principles for states and health care providers to follow in adhering to the Federal guidance. United Spinal also joined over 400 organizations in calling on HHS for additional Federal guidance on nondiscrimination in health care to be issued by OCR. United Spinal, as a member of the ITEM Coalition Steering Committee, endorsed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar urging for improved access to this treatment. We have written to CMS before about the complex and burdensome billing requirements associated with the dNPWT benefit that have resulted in decreased patient access to this important treatment. Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a Steering Committee member of CPR endorsed comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services highlighting important provisions of benefit to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries: Revisions to supplemental benefits for beneficiaries with chronic conditions (SSBCI), Network adequacy requirements for MA plans, Star rating program enhancements, and New tools for beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program (Part D). PCHAlliance Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a member of PCHAlliance signed onto this coalitions letter: Interoperable, connected health, requires a broad ecosystem of shared digital health information. It is particularly noteworthy that this proposed rule advances Medicare Advantage coverage of patient centered digital, interoperable, connected healthcare. PCHAlliance members support the advancement of evidence based connected health. CMS work to develop and ensure appropriate use of connected care is particularly noteworthy as one of the key enablers of modernizing Medicare for the use of evidence based connected care is to improve patient outcomes. United Spinal comments on FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework United Spinal provided comments on the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) Request for Information on the FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework, in support of strengthening and advancing disability and rehabilitation research and included support of the comments submitted by the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition, of which United Spinal Association is a member. United Spinal supports COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act - S. 3740. United Spinal supports Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act - S. 3768. United States Postal Services (USPS) - COVID-19 United Spinal signed onto a letter, facilitated by AARP, to House and Senate leadership in support of USPS continued funding in order to provide the vital services that millions of Americans, especially older Americans and those with chronic conditions, depend upon, especially during this pandemic, as it relates to pharmacy and medical supplies needs as well as access to voting. United Spinal sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Aging Committee thanking them for holding a hearing examining the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on nursing homes and urging them to engage the disability community as they seek solutions. Support increased appropriations funding for the SCI Model Systems under the NIDILRR grant. Support continued appropriations funding for CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Value-Based Purchasing Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 [CMS-1737-P, RIN: 0938-AU13] - Concerns with the Patient-Driven Payment Model. CPR continues to be concerned with the observed and ongoing impact of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) implemented in the SNF PPS effective October 1, 2019. CMS implemented this new case-mix classification model to group patients admitted to SNFs during covered Medicare Part A stays, replacing the Resource Utilization Group, Version IV (RUG-IV) system. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Rule [CMS-1729-P; RIN 0938-AU05]. Under this proposal, non-physician practitioners would be able to conduct or designate another certified clinician to conduct the preadmission screening (PAS), review and concur with the findings of the preadmission screening, conduct the post-admission physician evaluation (PAPE), which CMS proposes to eliminate, lead the required weekly interdisciplinary team meetings, conduct required face-to-face visits with the patient, and develop and modify the patients plan of care. In sum, CMS proposes to defer to the IRF to determine whether a non-physician practitioner has sufficient specialized training and experience in inpatient rehabilitation to essentially fulfill the role of the rehabilitation physician. CPR views this proposal as a major broadside attack on the integrity and value of care provided by inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and units. We strongly oppose this proposal and believe that, if finalized, it would materially undercut IRF care and decrease the level and quality of care provided in an IRF, potentially causing significant harm to patients with complex conditions who need an intensive, coordinated, interdisciplinary course of inpatient hospital-level rehabilitation treatment.

COVID-19 Advocacy/CARES Act Support A one-year expansion of federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. An expansion of the paid leave program to cover family caregiving of adults with disabilities, which would allow all family members, not just parents, to take paid leave for caregiving. Additional pay of up to $10,000 for personal care attendants, home health aides, and direct support professionals for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional round of Economic Impact Payments, resolving bureaucratic issues for SSI, SSDI, and VA benefits recipients, and fixing an issue that left adult dependents ineligible for these payments. A requirement that that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) make specific plans to ensure that COVID-19 testing is accessible to people with disabilities and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. A requirement that States ensure that absentee or mail-in ballots are accessible for people with disabilities. Support All Dependent Children Count Act introduced by Rep. Craig in the House (H.R. 6420), and Sen. Smiths All Dependents Count Act, S. 3652. Support H.R. 6680 which would disregard unemployment benefits from eligibility consideration for means-tested programs such as SSI and SNAP - Strengthening UI for Coronavirus Impacted Workers and Students Act. Department of Health and Human Services Supported letter to Secretary Azar and Director Severino to express our strong and urgent support for the Departments Office for Civil Rights to issue additional guidance to ensure that schemes to ration scarce health care resources during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic comply with federal nondiscrimination laws. Justice in Aging request HHS Secretary Azar to Remove Barriers for Medicare Enrollment During COVID Pandemic United Spinal joined Justice in Aging and numerous organizations requesting the Department of Health and Human Services take action to remove barriers and to streamline enrollment in health insurance coverage for low-income older adults and people with disabilities who are at highest risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19. United Spinal advocated to exempt non-invasive ventilators from Medicares competitive bidding program which limits choice for consumers and cuts reimbursement to Medicare providers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the wrong time to place additional restrictions on access to life-saving equipment. United Spinal sent in its own letter to Congress along with other stakeholders such as the ALS Association and the company RESMED. As a CCD Rights Task Force co-chair, United Spinal advocacy and policy staff signed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, CMS Administrator Seema Verma, and CDC Director Robert Redfield urging them to collect and report data on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, including numbers of tests, testing rates, numbers and rates of positive tests, hospitalizations, deaths and death rates, recoveries, transfers from community living to institutional settings and discharges from institutional settings, and analysis of that data to identify trends and correlational factors. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff provided comments as part of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) to Senator Warren (D-MA) and Reps. Pressley (D-MA) & Kelly (D-IL) on a bill to require the CDC to collect and report demographic data related to COVID-19; we urged them to include data collection on disability factors. oOn April 14, Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Robin Kelly, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others introduced the Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect and report racial, ethnic, and other demographic data on COVID testing, treatment, and fatality rates. The introduced legislation did mention disability but did not include significant focus on the importance of disability data collection. oMembers of the DRRC, which includes United Spinal, along with other stakeholders, drafted revisions to the legislation. The edits were intended to achieve three purposes: 1) integrate the concerns and interests of the disability community throughout the bill to ensure that disability rights are universally considered civil rights, 2) include on the mandated data collection commission agencies with disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research portfolios, and 3) authorize targeted COVID research funding to NIDILRR comparable to the targeted funding provided to other research agencies. These edits were shared with Sen. Warrens office along with other congressional disability champions, including Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). Following work in March that resulted in Federal guidance being issued by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services to remind States and health care providers of their responsibilities under Federal law not to discriminate against people with disabilities in providing health care, United Spinal signed onto a guidance document developed by the disability community outlining principles for states and health care providers to follow in adhering to the Federal guidance. United Spinal also joined over 400 organizations in calling on HHS for additional Federal guidance on nondiscrimination in health care to be issued by OCR. United Spinal, as a member of the ITEM Coalition Steering Committee, endorsed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar urging for improved access to this treatment. We have written to CMS before about the complex and burdensome billing requirements associated with the dNPWT benefit that have resulted in decreased patient access to this important treatment. Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a Steering Committee member of CPR endorsed comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services highlighting important provisions of benefit to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries: Revisions to supplemental benefits for beneficiaries with chronic conditions (SSBCI), Network adequacy requirements for MA plans, Star rating program enhancements, and New tools for beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program (Part D). PCHAlliance Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a member of PCHAlliance signed onto this coalitions letter: Interoperable, connected health, requires a broad ecosystem of shared digital health information. It is particularly noteworthy that this proposed rule advances Medicare Advantage coverage of patient centered digital, interoperable, connected healthcare. PCHAlliance members support the advancement of evidence based connected health. CMS work to develop and ensure appropriate use of connected care is particularly noteworthy as one of the key enablers of modernizing Medicare for the use of evidence based connected care is to improve patient outcomes. United Spinal comments on FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework United Spinal provided comments on the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) Request for Information on the FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework, in support of strengthening and advancing disability and rehabilitation research and included support of the comments submitted by the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition, of which United Spinal Association is a member. United Spinal supports COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act - S. 3740. United Spinal supports Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act - S. 3768. United States Postal Services (USPS) - COVID-19 United Spinal signed onto a letter, facilitated by AARP, to House and Senate leadership in support of USPS continued funding in order to provide the vital services that millions of Americans, especially older Americans and those with chronic conditions, depend upon, especially during this pandemic, as it relates to pharmacy and medical supplies needs as well as access to voting. United Spinal sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Aging Committee thanking them for holding a hearing examining the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on nursing homes and urging them to engage the disability community as they seek solutions. Support increased appropriations funding for the SCI Model Systems under the NIDILRR grant. Support continued appropriations funding for CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Value-Based Purchasing Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 [CMS-1737-P, RIN: 0938-AU13] - Concerns with the Patient-Driven Payment Model. CPR continues to be concerned with the observed and ongoing impact of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) implemented in the SNF PPS effective October 1, 2019. CMS implemented this new case-mix classification model to group patients admitted to SNFs during covered Medicare Part A stays, replacing the Resource Utilization Group, Version IV (RUG-IV) system. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Rule [CMS-1729-P; RIN 0938-AU05]. Under this proposal, non-physician practitioners would be able to conduct or designate another certified clinician to conduct the preadmission screening (PAS), review and concur with the findings of the preadmission screening, conduct the post-admission physician evaluation (PAPE), which CMS proposes to eliminate, lead the required weekly interdisciplinary team meetings, conduct required face-to-face visits with the patient, and develop and modify the patients plan of care. In sum, CMS proposes to defer to the IRF to determine whether a non-physician practitioner has sufficient specialized training and experience in inpatient rehabilitation to essentially fulfill the role of the rehabilitation physician. CPR views this proposal as a major broadside attack on the integrity and value of care provided by inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and units. We strongly oppose this proposal and believe that, if finalized, it would materially undercut IRF care and decrease the level and quality of care provided in an IRF, potentially causing significant harm to patients with complex conditions who need an intensive, coordinated, interdisciplinary course of inpatient hospital-level rehabilitation treatment.

COVID-19 Advocacy/CARES Act Support A one-year expansion of federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. An expansion of the paid leave program to cover family caregiving of adults with disabilities, which would allow all family members, not just parents, to take paid leave for caregiving. Additional pay of up to $10,000 for personal care attendants, home health aides, and direct support professionals for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional round of Economic Impact Payments, resolving bureaucratic issues for SSI, SSDI, and VA benefits recipients, and fixing an issue that left adult dependents ineligible for these payments. A requirement that that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) make specific plans to ensure that COVID-19 testing is accessible to people with disabilities and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. A requirement that States ensure that absentee or mail-in ballots are accessible for people with disabilities. Support All Dependent Children Count Act introduced by Rep. Craig in the House (H.R. 6420), and Sen. Smiths All Dependents Count Act, S. 3652. Support H.R. 6680 which would disregard unemployment benefits from eligibility consideration for means-tested programs such as SSI and SNAP - Strengthening UI for Coronavirus Impacted Workers and Students Act. Department of Health and Human Services Supported letter to Secretary Azar and Director Severino to express our strong and urgent support for the Departments Office for Civil Rights to issue additional guidance to ensure that schemes to ration scarce health care resources during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic comply with federal nondiscrimination laws. Justice in Aging request HHS Secretary Azar to Remove Barriers for Medicare Enrollment During COVID Pandemic United Spinal joined Justice in Aging and numerous organizations requesting the Department of Health and Human Services take action to remove barriers and to streamline enrollment in health insurance coverage for low-income older adults and people with disabilities who are at highest risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19. United Spinal advocated to exempt non-invasive ventilators from Medicares competitive bidding program which limits choice for consumers and cuts reimbursement to Medicare providers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the wrong time to place additional restrictions on access to life-saving equipment. United Spinal sent in its own letter to Congress along with other stakeholders such as the ALS Association and the company RESMED. As a CCD Rights Task Force co-chair, United Spinal advocacy and policy staff signed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, CMS Administrator Seema Verma, and CDC Director Robert Redfield urging them to collect and report data on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, including numbers of tests, testing rates, numbers and rates of positive tests, hospitalizations, deaths and death rates, recoveries, transfers from community living to institutional settings and discharges from institutional settings, and analysis of that data to identify trends and correlational factors. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff provided comments as part of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) to Senator Warren (D-MA) and Reps. Pressley (D-MA) & Kelly (D-IL) on a bill to require the CDC to collect and report demographic data related to COVID-19; we urged them to include data collection on disability factors. oOn April 14, Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Robin Kelly, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others introduced the Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect and report racial, ethnic, and other demographic data on COVID testing, treatment, and fatality rates. The introduced legislation did mention disability but did not include significant focus on the importance of disability data collection. oMembers of the DRRC, which includes United Spinal, along with other stakeholders, drafted revisions to the legislation. The edits were intended to achieve three purposes: 1) integrate the concerns and interests of the disability community throughout the bill to ensure that disability rights are universally considered civil rights, 2) include on the mandated data collection commission agencies with disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research portfolios, and 3) authorize targeted COVID research funding to NIDILRR comparable to the targeted funding provided to other research agencies. These edits were shared with Sen. Warrens office along with other congressional disability champions, including Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). Following work in March that resulted in Federal guidance being issued by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services to remind States and health care providers of their responsibilities under Federal law not to discriminate against people with disabilities in providing health care, United Spinal signed onto a guidance document developed by the disability community outlining principles for states and health care providers to follow in adhering to the Federal guidance. United Spinal also joined over 400 organizations in calling on HHS for additional Federal guidance on nondiscrimination in health care to be issued by OCR. United Spinal, as a member of the ITEM Coalition Steering Committee, endorsed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar urging for improved access to this treatment. We have written to CMS before about the complex and burdensome billing requirements associated with the dNPWT benefit that have resulted in decreased patient access to this important treatment. Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a Steering Committee member of CPR endorsed comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services highlighting important provisions of benefit to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries: Revisions to supplemental benefits for beneficiaries with chronic conditions (SSBCI), Network adequacy requirements for MA plans, Star rating program enhancements, and New tools for beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program (Part D). PCHAlliance Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a member of PCHAlliance signed onto this coalitions letter: Interoperable, connected health, requires a broad ecosystem of shared digital health information. It is particularly noteworthy that this proposed rule advances Medicare Advantage coverage of patient centered digital, interoperable, connected healthcare. PCHAlliance members support the advancement of evidence based connected health. CMS work to develop and ensure appropriate use of connected care is particularly noteworthy as one of the key enablers of modernizing Medicare for the use of evidence based connected care is to improve patient outcomes. United Spinal comments on FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework United Spinal provided comments on the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) Request for Information on the FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework, in support of strengthening and advancing disability and rehabilitation research and included support of the comments submitted by the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition, of which United Spinal Association is a member. United Spinal supports COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act - S. 3740. United Spinal supports Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act - S. 3768. United States Postal Services (USPS) - COVID-19 United Spinal signed onto a letter, facilitated by AARP, to House and Senate leadership in support of USPS continued funding in order to provide the vital services that millions of Americans, especially older Americans and those with chronic conditions, depend upon, especially during this pandemic, as it relates to pharmacy and medical supplies needs as well as access to voting. United Spinal sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Aging Committee thanking them for holding a hearing examining the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on nursing homes and urging them to engage the disability community as they seek solutions. Support increased appropriations funding for the SCI Model Systems under the NIDILRR grant. Support continued appropriations funding for CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Value-Based Purchasing Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 [CMS-1737-P, RIN: 0938-AU13] - Concerns with the Patient-Driven Payment Model. CPR continues to be concerned with the observed and ongoing impact of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) implemented in the SNF PPS effective October 1, 2019. CMS implemented this new case-mix classification model to group patients admitted to SNFs during covered Medicare Part A stays, replacing the Resource Utilization Group, Version IV (RUG-IV) system. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Rule [CMS-1729-P; RIN 0938-AU05]. Under this proposal, non-physician practitioners would be able to conduct or designate another certified clinician to conduct the preadmission screening (PAS), review and concur with the findings of the preadmission screening, conduct the post-admission physician evaluation (PAPE), which CMS proposes to eliminate, lead the required weekly interdisciplinary team meetings, conduct required face-to-face visits with the patient, and develop and modify the patients plan of care. In sum, CMS proposes to defer to the IRF to determine whether a non-physician practitioner has sufficient specialized training and experience in inpatient rehabilitation to essentially fulfill the role of the rehabilitation physician. CPR views this proposal as a major broadside attack on the integrity and value of care provided by inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and units. We strongly oppose this proposal and believe that, if finalized, it would materially undercut IRF care and decrease the level and quality of care provided in an IRF, potentially causing significant harm to patients with complex conditions who need an intensive, coordinated, interdisciplinary course of inpatient hospital-level rehabilitation treatment.

Received briefing from VA officials in the Office of Connected Care regarding the rollouts of CCN, and the change in Third-Party Administrators. Raised concerns. Participated in White House roundtable and release of the PREVENTS Roadmap, outlining a national level response to ending suicide in the military and veteran population. Meeting with VA VBA to discuss the full digital acceptance and move towards complete automation at the VA, particularly towards complete digitization of all inbound mail, and the discontinuation of fax machines for disability services and claims as of 9 January 2020. Provided comments to VA on the VAs Caregiver expansion program - an intermediary addition of population to the caregiving community that implements a new financial management system (CARMA) and over 1,000 employees to manage the system. Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). Support NDAA priorities with House and Senate. Support Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020/S. 4393. Provided comments on FCC letter addressing Lifeline expansion in the middle of a pandemic: FCC wanted providers to offer twice the data at half the cost by the end of the year. Per briefing from VA re consolidated pharmacy mailing system that VA. Raised concerns with delivery of prescription drugs during pandemic. Engaged with the DHS CBP Veteran Task Force to outline an educational supplement for their train-the-trainer nationwide peer support group. Discussed VetsFirst as a resource and call center. Support S.785 Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. Share comments of support with House and Senate. Support H.R. 8247 Veterans Compact Act.

Received briefing from VA officials in the Office of Connected Care regarding the rollouts of CCN, and the change in Third-Party Administrators. Raised concerns. Participated in White House roundtable and release of the PREVENTS Roadmap, outlining a national level response to ending suicide in the military and veteran population. Meeting with VA VBA to discuss the full digital acceptance and move towards complete automation at the VA, particularly towards complete digitization of all inbound mail, and the discontinuation of fax machines for disability services and claims as of 9 January 2020. Provided comments to VA on the VAs Caregiver expansion program - an intermediary addition of population to the caregiving community that implements a new financial management system (CARMA) and over 1,000 employees to manage the system. Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). Support NDAA priorities with House and Senate. Support Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020/S. 4393. Provided comments on FCC letter addressing Lifeline expansion in the middle of a pandemic: FCC wanted providers to offer twice the data at half the cost by the end of the year. Per briefing from VA re consolidated pharmacy mailing system that VA. Raised concerns with delivery of prescription drugs during pandemic. Engaged with the DHS CBP Veteran Task Force to outline an educational supplement for their train-the-trainer nationwide peer support group. Discussed VetsFirst as a resource and call center. Support S.785 Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. Share comments of support with House and Senate. Support H.R. 8247 Veterans Compact Act.

H.R. 1925/S. 898: A bill to designate the Manhattan Campus of the New York Harbor Health System of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Health Care System". Supporting the first renaming of a VAMC after a woman veteran by providing a letter of support directly to the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Margaret Corbin was the first female combat veteran to receive a pension from the US government, serving in the Revolutionary War. H.R. 846, the Veterans Serving Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep Gonzalez-Colons office for the Veterans Serving Veterans Act which directs the Secretary of the VA to establish a vacancy recruitment database to facilitate the recruitment of certain members of the Armed Forces to satisfy occupational needs within the Department in order to overcome chronic staffing shortage. H.R. 2557, The Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act Provided letter of support to Representative Sean Patrick Maloneys office for the Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act, which allows the VA to recruit resident physicians earlier, offering doctors a conditional job offer up to two years prior to their graduation. H.R. 299: The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. Signed onto joint letter of support to the HVAC as part of the 18-member National Military and Veterans Alliance. This act recognizes and brings relief to veterans who, during active military, naval, or air service, served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975 by amending Title 38 to recognize the presumption that these veterans have been exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such service.

H.R. 1925/S. 898: A bill to designate the Manhattan Campus of the New York Harbor Health System of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Health Care System". Supporting the first renaming of a VAMC after a woman veteran by providing a letter of support directly to the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Margaret Corbin was the first female combat veteran to receive a pension from the US government, serving in the Revolutionary War. H.R. 846, the Veterans Serving Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep Gonzalez-Colons office for the Veterans Serving Veterans Act which directs the Secretary of the VA to establish a vacancy recruitment database to facilitate the recruitment of certain members of the Armed Forces to satisfy occupational needs within the Department in order to overcome chronic staffing shortage. H.R. 2557, The Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act Provided letter of support to Representative Sean Patrick Maloneys office for the Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act, which allows the VA to recruit resident physicians earlier, offering doctors a conditional job offer up to two years prior to their graduation. H.R. 299: The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. Signed onto joint letter of support to the HVAC as part of the 18-member National Military and Veterans Alliance. This act recognizes and brings relief to veterans who, during active military, naval, or air service, served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975 by amending Title 38 to recognize the presumption that these veterans have been exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such service.

H.R. 1925/S. 898: A bill to designate the Manhattan Campus of the New York Harbor Health System of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Health Care System". Supporting the first renaming of a VAMC after a woman veteran by providing a letter of support directly to the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Margaret Corbin was the first female combat veteran to receive a pension from the US government, serving in the Revolutionary War. H.R. 846, the Veterans Serving Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep Gonzalez-Colons office for the Veterans Serving Veterans Act which directs the Secretary of the VA to establish a vacancy recruitment database to facilitate the recruitment of certain members of the Armed Forces to satisfy occupational needs within the Department in order to overcome chronic staffing shortage. H.R. 2557, The Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act Provided letter of support to Representative Sean Patrick Maloneys office for the Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act, which allows the VA to recruit resident physicians earlier, offering doctors a conditional job offer up to two years prior to their graduation. H.R. 299: The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. Signed onto joint letter of support to the HVAC as part of the 18-member National Military and Veterans Alliance. This act recognizes and brings relief to veterans who, during active military, naval, or air service, served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975 by amending Title 38 to recognize the presumption that these veterans have been exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such service.

H.R. 3208/S. 1755: Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act Signed onto letter of support as part of the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in support of the RE-AADI Act which aims to ensure that older adults and individuals with disabilities are prepared for disasters, and for other purposes.

Supports Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH), S.2022 / H.R. 3504 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains an SAH grant program to help seriously injured veterans purchase or construct an adaptive home or make modifications to an existing home to help accommodate their level of ability. Supports Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, S.1881 / H.R. 3356 The VETS Safe Travel Act would grant TSA Pre√ to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind at no cost and enable them to pass through airport security easier with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids - allowing for a more dignified experience when passing through security checkpoints at our nations airports. Supports National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, S.2661 / H.R.4194 Veteran mental health is a national crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical tool for preventing suicide, giving people a lifeline in a time of need. Supports Permanent Grants for Rural Veteran Medical Care Transport, H.R 4589 This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care. Supports Modernizing VAs Records Management Program Act, H.R 4588 Amends title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Supports Protect the GI Bill Act, H.R 4625 To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that educational institutions abide by certain principles as a condition of approval for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

S. 1881, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support to SEN Youngs office and the SVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. H.R 3356, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support Rep Gosar and Rep Kirkpatrick to the HVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. Provided letter of support through Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities to the 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations committees in both the House and the Senate requesting funding to establish a Disabled Veteran Program at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to Reps Pelosi, McCarthy, Lowey, and Granger of the House and the House Committee on Appropriations urging their attention to passing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills before the current fiscal year ended on September 30, 2019. H.R. 3867, Violence Against Women Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep. Velasquez for her reintroduction of this act which requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the provision of services and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who experience domestic violence or sexual assault, and for other purposes. H.R.3504 - Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support to Rep Bilirakis and Rep Levin for the Ryan Kules SAH Improvement Act, which would increase the number of times veterans could tap into the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program and give access to the full amount every 10 years. S.2022 - Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support for the Paul Benne SAH Improvement Act of 2019 to Sens. Moran and Sinema for this act which would increase the number of times and the amount of funding veterans could use in the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program. Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020. Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to the SASC and HASC covering support for specific parts of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020: Elimination of Medical Billets Survivor Benefits Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) Signed onto letter through the Veteran Education Success coalition to Director Kathleen Kraninger of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding Comment on Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Docket No. CFPB-2019-0022 which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), expressing our views on several pieces of the amendments which may cause undue hardship or loss of clearance for veterans and military members. United Spinal and VetsFirst signed onto coalition comments to the FCC in response to public notices seeking comment on applications to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) from companies that provide Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) only services; followed up comments by participating in two in-person meetings with FCC staff. Discussed emerging technology at the VA with VA staff.

S. 1881, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support to SEN Youngs office and the SVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. H.R 3356, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support Rep Gosar and Rep Kirkpatrick to the HVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. Provided letter of support through Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities to the 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations committees in both the House and the Senate requesting funding to establish a Disabled Veteran Program at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to Reps Pelosi, McCarthy, Lowey, and Granger of the House and the House Committee on Appropriations urging their attention to passing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills before the current fiscal year ended on September 30, 2019. H.R. 3867, Violence Against Women Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep. Velasquez for her reintroduction of this act which requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the provision of services and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who experience domestic violence or sexual assault, and for other purposes. H.R.3504 - Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support to Rep Bilirakis and Rep Levin for the Ryan Kules SAH Improvement Act, which would increase the number of times veterans could tap into the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program and give access to the full amount every 10 years. S.2022 - Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support for the Paul Benne SAH Improvement Act of 2019 to Sens. Moran and Sinema for this act which would increase the number of times and the amount of funding veterans could use in the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program. Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020. Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to the SASC and HASC covering support for specific parts of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020: Elimination of Medical Billets Survivor Benefits Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) Signed onto letter through the Veteran Education Success coalition to Director Kathleen Kraninger of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding Comment on Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Docket No. CFPB-2019-0022 which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), expressing our views on several pieces of the amendments which may cause undue hardship or loss of clearance for veterans and military members. United Spinal and VetsFirst signed onto coalition comments to the FCC in response to public notices seeking comment on applications to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) from companies that provide Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) only services; followed up comments by participating in two in-person meetings with FCC staff. Discussed emerging technology at the VA with VA staff.

Supports Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH), S.2022 / H.R. 3504 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains an SAH grant program to help seriously injured veterans purchase or construct an adaptive home or make modifications to an existing home to help accommodate their level of ability. Supports Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, S.1881 / H.R. 3356 The VETS Safe Travel Act would grant TSA Pre√ to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind at no cost and enable them to pass through airport security easier with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids - allowing for a more dignified experience when passing through security checkpoints at our nations airports. Supports National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, S.2661 / H.R.4194 Veteran mental health is a national crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical tool for preventing suicide, giving people a lifeline in a time of need. Supports Permanent Grants for Rural Veteran Medical Care Transport, H.R 4589 This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care. Supports Modernizing VAs Records Management Program Act, H.R 4588 Amends title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Supports Protect the GI Bill Act, H.R 4625 To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that educational institutions abide by certain principles as a condition of approval for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

S. 1881, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support to SEN Youngs office and the SVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. H.R 3356, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support Rep Gosar and Rep Kirkpatrick to the HVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. Provided letter of support through Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities to the 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations committees in both the House and the Senate requesting funding to establish a Disabled Veteran Program at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to Reps Pelosi, McCarthy, Lowey, and Granger of the House and the House Committee on Appropriations urging their attention to passing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills before the current fiscal year ended on September 30, 2019. H.R. 3867, Violence Against Women Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep. Velasquez for her reintroduction of this act which requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the provision of services and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who experience domestic violence or sexual assault, and for other purposes. H.R.3504 - Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support to Rep Bilirakis and Rep Levin for the Ryan Kules SAH Improvement Act, which would increase the number of times veterans could tap into the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program and give access to the full amount every 10 years. S.2022 - Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support for the Paul Benne SAH Improvement Act of 2019 to Sens. Moran and Sinema for this act which would increase the number of times and the amount of funding veterans could use in the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program. Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020. Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to the SASC and HASC covering support for specific parts of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020: Elimination of Medical Billets Survivor Benefits Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) Signed onto letter through the Veteran Education Success coalition to Director Kathleen Kraninger of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding Comment on Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Docket No. CFPB-2019-0022 which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), expressing our views on several pieces of the amendments which may cause undue hardship or loss of clearance for veterans and military members. United Spinal and VetsFirst signed onto coalition comments to the FCC in response to public notices seeking comment on applications to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) from companies that provide Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) only services; followed up comments by participating in two in-person meetings with FCC staff. Discussed emerging technology at the VA with VA staff.

Supports Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH), S.2022 / H.R. 3504 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains an SAH grant program to help seriously injured veterans purchase or construct an adaptive home or make modifications to an existing home to help accommodate their level of ability. Supports Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, S.1881 / H.R. 3356 The VETS Safe Travel Act would grant TSA Pre√ to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind at no cost and enable them to pass through airport security easier with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids - allowing for a more dignified experience when passing through security checkpoints at our nations airports. Supports National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, S.2661 / H.R.4194 Veteran mental health is a national crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical tool for preventing suicide, giving people a lifeline in a time of need. Supports Permanent Grants for Rural Veteran Medical Care Transport, H.R 4589 This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care. Supports Modernizing VAs Records Management Program Act, H.R 4588 Amends title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Supports Protect the GI Bill Act, H.R 4625 To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that educational institutions abide by certain principles as a condition of approval for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Supports Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH), S.2022 / H.R. 3504 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains an SAH grant program to help seriously injured veterans purchase or construct an adaptive home or make modifications to an existing home to help accommodate their level of ability. Supports Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, S.1881 / H.R. 3356 The VETS Safe Travel Act would grant TSA Pre√ to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind at no cost and enable them to pass through airport security easier with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids - allowing for a more dignified experience when passing through security checkpoints at our nations airports. Supports National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, S.2661 / H.R.4194 Veteran mental health is a national crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical tool for preventing suicide, giving people a lifeline in a time of need. Supports Permanent Grants for Rural Veteran Medical Care Transport, H.R 4589 This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care. Supports Modernizing VAs Records Management Program Act, H.R 4588 Amends title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Supports Protect the GI Bill Act, H.R 4625 To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that educational institutions abide by certain principles as a condition of approval for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Supports Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH), S.2022 / H.R. 3504 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains an SAH grant program to help seriously injured veterans purchase or construct an adaptive home or make modifications to an existing home to help accommodate their level of ability. Supports Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, S.1881 / H.R. 3356 The VETS Safe Travel Act would grant TSA Pre√ to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind at no cost and enable them to pass through airport security easier with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids - allowing for a more dignified experience when passing through security checkpoints at our nations airports. Supports National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, S.2661 / H.R.4194 Veteran mental health is a national crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical tool for preventing suicide, giving people a lifeline in a time of need. Supports Permanent Grants for Rural Veteran Medical Care Transport, H.R 4589 This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care. Supports Modernizing VAs Records Management Program Act, H.R 4588 Amends title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Supports Protect the GI Bill Act, H.R 4625 To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that educational institutions abide by certain principles as a condition of approval for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Supports Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH), S.2022 / H.R. 3504 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains an SAH grant program to help seriously injured veterans purchase or construct an adaptive home or make modifications to an existing home to help accommodate their level of ability. Supports Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, S.1881 / H.R. 3356 The VETS Safe Travel Act would grant TSA Pre√ to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind at no cost and enable them to pass through airport security easier with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids - allowing for a more dignified experience when passing through security checkpoints at our nations airports. Supports National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, S.2661 / H.R.4194 Veteran mental health is a national crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical tool for preventing suicide, giving people a lifeline in a time of need. Supports Permanent Grants for Rural Veteran Medical Care Transport, H.R 4589 This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care. Supports Modernizing VAs Records Management Program Act, H.R 4588 Amends title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Supports Protect the GI Bill Act, H.R 4625 To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that educational institutions abide by certain principles as a condition of approval for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Supports College Affordability Act, H.R.4674 Includes provisions to return to the 85/15 reporting rule for for-profit colleges, instead of the current 90/10 rule, which promotes targeting of veterans for their valuable GI Bill benefits.

H.R. 1925/S. 898: A bill to designate the Manhattan Campus of the New York Harbor Health System of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Health Care System". Supporting the first renaming of a VAMC after a woman veteran by providing a letter of support directly to the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Margaret Corbin was the first female combat veteran to receive a pension from the US government, serving in the Revolutionary War. H.R. 846, the Veterans Serving Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep Gonzalez-Colons office for the Veterans Serving Veterans Act which directs the Secretary of the VA to establish a vacancy recruitment database to facilitate the recruitment of certain members of the Armed Forces to satisfy occupational needs within the Department in order to overcome chronic staffing shortage. H.R. 2557, The Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act Provided letter of support to Representative Sean Patrick Maloneys office for the Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act, which allows the VA to recruit resident physicians earlier, offering doctors a conditional job offer up to two years prior to their graduation. H.R. 299: The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. Signed onto joint letter of support to the HVAC as part of the 18-member National Military and Veterans Alliance. This act recognizes and brings relief to veterans who, during active military, naval, or air service, served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975 by amending Title 38 to recognize the presumption that these veterans have been exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such service.

H.R. 3208/S. 1755: Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act Signed onto letter of support as part of the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in support of the RE-AADI Act which aims to ensure that older adults and individuals with disabilities are prepared for disasters, and for other purposes.

Supports Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH), S.2022 / H.R. 3504 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains an SAH grant program to help seriously injured veterans purchase or construct an adaptive home or make modifications to an existing home to help accommodate their level of ability. Supports Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, S.1881 / H.R. 3356 The VETS Safe Travel Act would grant TSA Pre√ to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind at no cost and enable them to pass through airport security easier with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids - allowing for a more dignified experience when passing through security checkpoints at our nations airports. Supports National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, S.2661 / H.R.4194 Veteran mental health is a national crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical tool for preventing suicide, giving people a lifeline in a time of need. Supports Permanent Grants for Rural Veteran Medical Care Transport, H.R 4589 This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care. Supports Modernizing VAs Records Management Program Act, H.R 4588 Amends title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Supports Protect the GI Bill Act, H.R 4625 To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that educational institutions abide by certain principles as a condition of approval for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

S. 1881, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support to SEN Youngs office and the SVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. H.R 3356, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support Rep Gosar and Rep Kirkpatrick to the HVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. Provided letter of support through Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities to the 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations committees in both the House and the Senate requesting funding to establish a Disabled Veteran Program at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to Reps Pelosi, McCarthy, Lowey, and Granger of the House and the House Committee on Appropriations urging their attention to passing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills before the current fiscal year ended on September 30, 2019. H.R. 3867, Violence Against Women Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep. Velasquez for her reintroduction of this act which requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the provision of services and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who experience domestic violence or sexual assault, and for other purposes. H.R.3504 - Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support to Rep Bilirakis and Rep Levin for the Ryan Kules SAH Improvement Act, which would increase the number of times veterans could tap into the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program and give access to the full amount every 10 years. S.2022 - Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support for the Paul Benne SAH Improvement Act of 2019 to Sens. Moran and Sinema for this act which would increase the number of times and the amount of funding veterans could use in the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program. Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020. Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to the SASC and HASC covering support for specific parts of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020: Elimination of Medical Billets Survivor Benefits Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) Signed onto letter through the Veteran Education Success coalition to Director Kathleen Kraninger of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding Comment on Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Docket No. CFPB-2019-0022 which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), expressing our views on several pieces of the amendments which may cause undue hardship or loss of clearance for veterans and military members. United Spinal and VetsFirst signed onto coalition comments to the FCC in response to public notices seeking comment on applications to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) from companies that provide Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) only services; followed up comments by participating in two in-person meetings with FCC staff. Discussed emerging technology at the VA with VA staff.

S. 1881, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support to SEN Youngs office and the SVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. H.R 3356, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act Provided letter of support Rep Gosar and Rep Kirkpatrick to the HVAC in support of this bill expanding access to TSA Preâœ" to severely disabled veterans at no cost. Provided letter of support through Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities to the 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations committees in both the House and the Senate requesting funding to establish a Disabled Veteran Program at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to Reps Pelosi, McCarthy, Lowey, and Granger of the House and the House Committee on Appropriations urging their attention to passing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills before the current fiscal year ended on September 30, 2019. H.R. 3867, Violence Against Women Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep. Velasquez for her reintroduction of this act which requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the provision of services and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who experience domestic violence or sexual assault, and for other purposes. H.R.3504 - Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support to Rep Bilirakis and Rep Levin for the Ryan Kules SAH Improvement Act, which would increase the number of times veterans could tap into the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program and give access to the full amount every 10 years. S.2022 - Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 Provided letter of support for the Paul Benne SAH Improvement Act of 2019 to Sens. Moran and Sinema for this act which would increase the number of times and the amount of funding veterans could use in the specially adaptive housing (SAH) program. Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020. Signed onto letter from The Military Coalition to the SASC and HASC covering support for specific parts of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2020: Elimination of Medical Billets Survivor Benefits Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) Signed onto letter through the Veteran Education Success coalition to Director Kathleen Kraninger of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding Comment on Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Docket No. CFPB-2019-0022 which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), expressing our views on several pieces of the amendments which may cause undue hardship or loss of clearance for veterans and military members. United Spinal and VetsFirst signed onto coalition comments to the FCC in response to public notices seeking comment on applications to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) from companies that provide Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) only services; followed up comments by participating in two in-person meetings with FCC staff. Discussed emerging technology at the VA with VA staff.

Supports Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH), S.2022 / H.R. 3504 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains an SAH grant program to help seriously injured veterans purchase or construct an adaptive home or make modifications to an existing home to help accommodate their level of ability. Supports Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, S.1881 / H.R. 3356 The VETS Safe Travel Act would grant TSA Pre√ to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind at no cost and enable them to pass through airport security easier with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids - allowing for a more dignified experience when passing through security checkpoints at our nations airports. Supports National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, S.2661 / H.R.4194 Veteran mental health is a national crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical tool for preventing suicide, giving people a lifeline in a time of need. Supports Permanent Grants for Rural Veteran Medical Care Transport, H.R 4589 This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care. Supports Modernizing VAs Records Management Program Act, H.R 4588 Amends title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Supports Protect the GI Bill Act, H.R 4625 To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that educational institutions abide by certain principles as a condition of approval for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

As part of the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities, VetsFirst supported a House appropriations request in the amount of $300,000 to help address the employment challenges of veterans with service connected and non-service connected disabilities, for the new Disabled Veteran Program (DVP) at the U.S. Department of Labors (DOL) Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS). United Spinal policy staff provided input for a DOL - ODEP publication on autonomous vehicles for the disability community. United Spinal supports the Disability Employment Incentive Act, S. 2555.

Supports Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH), S.2022 / H.R. 3504 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains an SAH grant program to help seriously injured veterans purchase or construct an adaptive home or make modifications to an existing home to help accommodate their level of ability. Supports Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, S.1881 / H.R. 3356 The VETS Safe Travel Act would grant TSA Pre√ to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind at no cost and enable them to pass through airport security easier with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids - allowing for a more dignified experience when passing through security checkpoints at our nations airports. Supports National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, S.2661 / H.R.4194 Veteran mental health is a national crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a critical tool for preventing suicide, giving people a lifeline in a time of need. Supports Permanent Grants for Rural Veteran Medical Care Transport, H.R 4589 This bill makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care. Supports Modernizing VAs Records Management Program Act, H.R 4588 Amends title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Supports Protect the GI Bill Act, H.R 4625 To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that educational institutions abide by certain principles as a condition of approval for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

S. 679, Honoring American Veterans in Extreme Need Act of 2019 or HAVEN act The objective of the HAVEN Act is to secure the economic well-being of veterans and dependents who rely on disability compensation and may be experiencing financial hardship. S. 30: Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act As part of the National Military and Veterans Alliance, VetsFirst signed a letter of support for S.30. This legislation seeks to provide chiropractic health care services for non-activated reservists and retirees as a part of the TRICARE program. S. 30 has been introduced by Senators Baldwin and Moran and has been referred to Senate Armed Services Committee.

S. 679, Honoring American Veterans in Extreme Need Act of 2019 or HAVEN act The objective of the HAVEN Act is to secure the economic well-being of veterans and dependents who rely on disability compensation and may be experiencing financial hardship. S. 30: Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act As part of the National Military and Veterans Alliance, VetsFirst signed a letter of support for S.30. This legislation seeks to provide chiropractic health care services for non-activated reservists and retirees as a part of the TRICARE program. S. 30 has been introduced by Senators Baldwin and Moran and has been referred to Senate Armed Services Committee.

H.R. 1925/S. 898: A bill to designate the Manhattan Campus of the New York Harbor Health System of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Health Care System". Supporting the first renaming of a VAMC after a woman veteran by providing a letter of support directly to the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Margaret Corbin was the first female combat veteran to receive a pension from the US government, serving in the Revolutionary War. H.R. 846, the Veterans Serving Veterans Act Provided letter of support to Rep Gonzalez-Colons office for the Veterans Serving Veterans Act which directs the Secretary of the VA to establish a vacancy recruitment database to facilitate the recruitment of certain members of the Armed Forces to satisfy occupational needs within the Department in order to overcome chronic staffing shortage. H.R. 2557, The Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act Provided letter of support to Representative Sean Patrick Maloneys office for the Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act, which allows the VA to recruit resident physicians earlier, offering doctors a conditional job offer up to two years prior to their graduation. H.R. 299: The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. Signed onto joint letter of support to the HVAC as part of the 18-member National Military and Veterans Alliance. This act recognizes and brings relief to veterans who, during active military, naval, or air service, served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975 by amending Title 38 to recognize the presumption that these veterans have been exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such service.

Discussed potential legislation around National Trauma Care System Act - establishing a national trauma care system act to integrate existing civilian-military systems and promote research and support. Support FCC protection of low-income consumers' access to telephone service - "Promoting Broadband Internet Access Service for Veterans - support of the Lifeline program. Advocated on VA MISSION Act. Advocated on Disabled Veterans Life Insurance act, HR. 4146.