UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION for UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

United Spinal Association urged the U.S. Sneate to act this year to make permanent key provisions of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and refundable Child Tax Credit (CTC and to use this opportunity to improve the EITC by expanding it for low-income childless adults and non-custodial parents who could benefit from the change.

Contacted: SENATE; Defense, Dept of (DOD); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); White House Office; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Education, Dept of; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Veterans VET

Wrote Testimony in support of HR 353-Veterans Access to Hearing Health Act. Wrote OpEd in support of H.R. 1994- The VA Accountability Act of 2015. Discussed VA Health Care Budget Shortfall and System Shutdown. This is an area of concern that if VA is not properly funded, certain services will not be available for veterans. Discussed the needs of military and veteran caregivers at a US Chamber of Commerce hosted event Discussed the VA Office of Inspector Generals Final Report on the Inappropriate Use of Position and the Misuse of the Relocation Program and Incentives in preparation for Oct 21 testimony before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Discussed the change in the 40 mile rule with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Discussed how to address transportation difficulties experienced by veterans needing to travel to VA healthcare appointments. Discussed draft legislation that would improve benefits and services for veterans and their families.

Contacted: Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); SENATE; Education, Dept of; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); White House Office

Bills named: H.R. 1994 (114th), H.R. 353 (114th)

Housing HOU

Protect Fair Housing Senate Letter United Spinal signed on to a letter, also co-signed by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force, urging all Senators to ensure local, private fair housing and housing anti-discrimination laws are protected. In June, the House of Representatives passed its Fiscal Year 2016 the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill, H.R. 2578, and its Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill, H.R. 2577, with highly concerning anti-fair housing amendments attached that would all but eliminate local private fair housing enforcement, and undermine the federal governments ability to protect Americans from housing discrimination. The letter was organized by the National Fair Housing Alliance.

Contacted: Defense, Dept of (DOD); White House Office; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Education, Dept of

Bills named: H.R. 2578 (114th), H.R. 2577 (114th)

Defense DEF

Discussed the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Bill, Space Available Transportation Disabled Vets legislation that allows for certain veterans who did not retire from the military, but have significant disabilities to utilize space availability military travel Supported FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Bill amendment #1556, The Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act of 2015 Supported House efforts to increase DoD and VA support for Joint Centers of Excellence. Discussed the possibility of opening up military specialties to women that are currently open to men only. Discussed concerns for the long term physical impacts of females serving in combat arms jobs from which they are currently banned. Discussed the transfer of DoD health records to VA upon a servicemembers transition off active duty.

Contacted: Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); White House Office; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); SENATE; Defense, Dept of (DOD)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

21st Century Community Policing United Spinal attended an Executive Administration Disability Community briefing on the 21st Century Community Policing Taskforce activities. Other members of the CCD Rights Task Force, as well as representatives from the National Council on Disability and Lead On were present. Representatives from the Domestic Policy Council, the US Department of Justice, and the Task Force presented. Members of the disability community spoke on a range of concerns, including lack of disability issues presented in the Task Force report. Participants discussed the need for the criminal justice system to be aware of the needs and concerns of the disability community, to treat victims, witnesses and those suspected of crime with respect; data collection regarding people with disabilities and police violence; as well as time spent in the prison system, and access to supports and services while in and transitioning out. United Spinal supports a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Rights Task Force letter sent to the United States Senate. The letter voiced concerns about the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646). The letter pointed out that instead of addressing the dramatic gaps in community services, the bill would remove critical protections for individuals with psychiatric disabilities and promote involuntary treatment. Community Integration Act - United Spinal supports the concepts described in the Community Integration Act, supported by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), which ensures that people with disabilities receive home and community-based supports and services in the home setting of their choice. NDLA members are continuing the dialogue with each other to consider additional language tweaks.

Contacted: Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); White House Office; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); SENATE; Defense, Dept of (DOD); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Education, Dept of; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 2646 (114th)

Transportation TRA

Federal Surface Transportation Bill United Spinal submitted a letter to key Senators advocating for the removal of a harmful pay-for provision in a proposed long-term surface transportation bill. United Spinal urged the Senators to oppose Section 52303 of the DRIVE Act. The provision would have cut Social Security benefits to hundreds of thousands of people as one solution to dwindling transportation funding. United Spinal supported the efforts of the CCD Social Security Task force to raise awareness of the harmful provision and call for action amongst disability advocates and the Transportation Equity Caucus. United Spinal discussed with U.S. DOT the issue of adding equity to the US DOTs Beyond Traffic report on the future of transportation in the US. United Spinal recommended changes to the existing report, and inclusion of income as a barrier to transportation for people with disabilities. United Spinal submitted comments to US DOT in response to proposed rulemaking regarding paratransit fares. The proposed rule would have allowed an exception for a provider in LA County to charge more than the federally allotted rate (twice the fixed route fare). United Spinal urged US DOT to deny the request. United Spinal submitted similar comments on behalf of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Transportation Task force as well. United Spinal Association wrote a letter to Representative Frank LoBiondo, (R-NJ), who sits on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in support of expanded Federal Aviation Administration language to allow for power inhibition devices to be used when stowing passenger wheelchairs as airline cargo. The inhibition device stops the power from accidentally turning on in the cargo which has been the cause of fires. The inhibition device/plug is also easy to insert and avoids airline crew being up to speed on all the variations of chairs and varying battery set-ups where battery cables must be disconnected.

Contacted: Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Education, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Health Issues HCR

Supports S.849 - Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act of 2015. This bill will mandate that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention track the incidence and prevalence of neurological diseases. Also support the companion bill, HR 292 (which was included in the 21st Century Cures Initiative). United Spinal supports the Patient Access to Disposable Medical Technology Act of 2015, S.1253/H.R. 1018 - portable medical equipment that can be used outside of the hospital. United Spinal joined a coalition, led by the Center for Responsible Science, to file an FDA petition to broaden testing options in drug development and to update regulations that govern preclinical drug and device development. As a member of the Patients for Biologics Safety and Access, United Spinal is engaged in an advocacy campaign with Congress to ensure that Congress hold an oversight hearing with the Food and Drug Administration to ask for expedited publication of guidances on consumer safety and clinical testing for biological pharmaceuticals. A Senate HELP hearing with the FDA CDRH Director, Janet Woodcock testifying took place in September. United Spinal Association signed on to a letter spearheaded by the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) in support of repealing the tax on medical device manufacturers. Research shows that innovations in medical technology have greatly improved outcomes of individuals with disabilities. We are concerned that the medical device tax will curtail investments in future innovation, thereby reducing consumer access to innovative medicine and hampering their quality of life.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); White House Office; SENATE; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Education, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 292 (114th), H.R. 1018 (114th), S. 849 (114th), S. 1253 (114th)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

Supports H.R. 1516/S. 1013 - Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act - to ensure Medicare beneficiaries' access to customized wheelchairs. Supports H.R.3229 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the non-application of Medicare competitive acquisition rates to complex rehabilitative wheelchairs and accessories. Opposes CMS' Miscellaneous Coding policy which limits access to wheelchair accessories based on whether the price of that accessory exceeds $150 [Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Codes Used for Processing Medicare Claims for Miscellaneous Durable Medical Equipment (DME)]. The HAB Coalition discussed with CMS the provision of habilitation benefits at the federal and state levels and asking for better clarification on coverage to include habilitative devices. United Spinal Association signed on to letters as part of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services opposing bundling payments of episodes of care for Medicare beneficiaries and opposing restrictive lower limb prosthesis policy. United Spinal staff was interviewed by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on the impact of Medicares competitive acquisition program on people with disabilities for their 2015 report. United Spinal continues to monitor the impact of the program on access issues for Medicare beneficiaries. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal supports strengthening consumer protections in rehab facilities and urged Medicare to establish stronger language around resident services provided with clearer definitions; stronger language around comprehensive person-centered planning urging CMS to add that if facility discharge is determined to not be feasible, the plan must document the specific reasons for that conclusion, the services that resident receives and the reasons why those services could not be provided; better definition around the provision of rehabilitative services, discharge planning and resident rights for example. United Spinal also signed onto an American Association for Justice letter urging CMS to remove pre-dispute arbitration clauses as inherently unfair and disadvantageous to nursing home residents. First and foremost, an essential component of any decision-making process is gathering the information needed to make the best decision. Pre-dispute arbitration agreements force individuals to make a decision without any information at all about the dispute, for example, in cases of alleged severe neglect, serious injuries or death.

Contacted: White House Office; SENATE; Defense, Dept of (DOD); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Education, Dept of; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Bills named: H.R. 1516 (114th), H.R. 3229 (114th), S. 1013 (114th)

Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries MAR

S.1611 - Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015. All provisions related to survival craft. (H.R.1987 - Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015. The House-passed Coast Guard Reauthorization Act weakens a requirement that survival craft keep a persons entire body out of the water.)

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Education, Dept of; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); White House Office; Defense, Dept of (DOD); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: H.R. 1987 (114th), S. 1611 (114th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Non-Defense Discretionary United United Spinal Association signed onto a letter to Congress, spearheaded by NDD United, urging for the protection of discretionary programs which include public services, such as environmental protection, education, job training, border security, veterans health care, scientific research, transportation, economic development, some low-income assistance, law enforcement, and international assistance.

Contacted: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Education, Dept of; Defense, Dept of (DOD); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; White House Office; Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Insurance INS

United Spinal signed onto Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force describing ways to improve work incentives and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for SSDI. United Spinal Association signed onto a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force letter in support of H.R. 3150, the One Social Security Act to the Ranking Member of the Social Security Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, Representative Xavier Becerra, (D-CA 34th). The legislation combines two trust funds, the Social Security Trust Fund and the Old Age and Survivor and Disability Insurance. The Disability Insurance Trust Fund is projected to be depleted at the end of 2016, at which time Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries face a nearly 20% benefit cut unless action is taken. United Spinal Association signed onto a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force letter and supports Senator Wyden and Representative Levins Social Security Earned Benefits Payment Act. The bill implements the Presidents proposal to reallocate funds between the Old Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance trust funds to equalize both funds through 2034. The bill will prevent the 20% across the board cut in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) at the end of 2016 and doing so with no cuts to Social Security benefits, eligibility or coverage. Benefit Offset Review United Spinal supports the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force response to Congress on recommendations regarding review of a Benefit Offset program. The purpose of a Benefit Offset program is to determine the effect of various interventions, in combination with a benefit offset, on employment outcomes including wages, benefits, hours worked, and job retention. Economic security and work incentives must be core concepts within a benefit offset program with $1 benefit offset for every $2 of earnings over the earning disregard threshold.

Contacted: Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Education, Dept of; SENATE; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); White House Office; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Bills named: H.R. 3150 (114th)

Education EDU

Signed on to support HR 2360, the Career-ready Student Veterans Act Submitted a statement for the record about H.R.475, The GI Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015. Signed onto a letter to Secretary Duncan to urge that the Department of Education alert consumers if a school is the subject of public federal or state investigations, lawsuits, or settlements Signed on to a letter in support of the Pell Restoration Act of 2015, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to clarify the Federal Pell Grant duration limits of borrowers who attend an institution of higher education that closes or commits fraud or other misconduct, and for other purposes.

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); White House Office; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Education, Dept of; SENATE; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: H.R. 475 (114th), H.R. 2360 (114th)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

Department of Labor Appropriations United Spinal Association signed onto a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Employment and Training Task Force letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee opposing the Committees proposal to transfer the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) into the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and reduce its funding by $15 million. This funding bill seriously undermines the stated intent of Congress to enhance and promote the employment of people with disabilities.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Education, Dept of; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); White House Office; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Medical/Disease Research/Clinical Labs MED

United Spinal signed onto a letter, spearheaded by the Epilepsy Foundation of America urging Congresss House and Senate Judiciary Committees to amend H.R. 9, the Innovation Act to preserve the strong patent protections that sustain medical research.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office

Bills named: H.R. 9 (114th)

Communications/Broadcasting/Radio/TV COM

United Spinal is monitoring closely the impact of communications accessibility regulations on the disability community and is sharing feedback with the Federal Communications Commission.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Education, Dept of; SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); White House Office; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA)