CRT Legislation Included In Veterans' Health Care Bill; Participate In “August Of Action” With Vgm Government Relations
Published in
Complex Rehab
on July 09, 2019
CRT Legislation Included in Veterans' Health Care Bill
A new bipartisan health care legislation entitled the “HEARTS and Rural Relief” bill that relates to veterans’ health care for returning troops (H.R. 3429) was approved unanimously by the Ways and Means Committee on June 26. This bill includes language from the CRT Manual Wheelchair bill (H.R. 2293) and, if passed, would stop Medicare from applying competitive bid payment rates to critical components (accessories) of complex rehab manual wheelchairs and will permanently exempt complex rehab wheelchair systems from the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program. Bill H.R. 3429 is now positioned to be considered for a House floor vote.
As mentioned in an announcement from NCART, “Many thanks to our congressional champions, Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.) and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), for their ongoing leadership in protecting access to CRT. We thank Representatives Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) and Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) for introducing the HEARTS bill and speaking on behalf of the CRT provision, as well as Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) for his supportive comments. We are also grateful to Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) and ranking member Kevin Brady (R-Texas) for allowing this important legislation to move forward.”
This is great progress for the CRT industry, and we will keep you updated as more information is shared.
Participate in “August of Action” with VGM Government Relations
As the August recess approaches, legislators have scheduled many town halls, lunches, and appointments with constituents back in their home states. That means that VGM’s “August of Action” will begin soon. Any concerns about CRT, competitive bidding, DME reimbursement, and other issues need to be shared with congressional representatives and senators as we continue to educate our legislators on these concerns that affect our members and their customers.
U.S. Rehab and the VGM Government Relations team encourages everyone in the industry to let their voices be heard and continue building relationships that can help make changes to Medicare policies in the Fall. Building these relationships is critical, to push current bills across the line. All providers have a stake in the game, and we encourage everyone to continue engaging with members of Congress on key legislation.
If you have wanted to speak directly with your legislators about industry concerns, the VGM Government Relations team can assist. Reach out to Emily Harken, administrative assistant for the VGM Government Relations team, at (866) 512-8465 or at Emily.Harken@vgm.com to learn more about opportunities to get involved during the August recess. The sooner everyone reaches out, the more time there is to plan and the better chance there is of getting the meeting with the member of Congress or their staff members.