UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION for UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION
What was lobbied
10 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Health Issues HCR
United Spinal supports Increased funding for SCI Model Systems. This program is long overdue for a significant funding increase that considers inflation and the approximate 50% growth in the SCI population since 2000 (from approximately 200,000 to more than 300,000) - $16.8 million. Increased funding for the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), which serves as the premier source of spinal cord injury-related statistical data in the United States - $1.8 million. Increased funding for the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC), the MSKTC works with the NSCISC and the SCI Model Systems on research and translating the data into useful fact sheets on various topics related to spinal cord injury that are used not only in the United States but globally - $2.1 million. United Spinal staff met with staff with the Senate Aging Committee to provide information for an appropriations support letter for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. United Spinal endorsed comments on the Medicare Advantage proposed rule as a Steering Committee member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation and United Spinal endorsed comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters proposed rule as a Steering Committee member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid Coalition.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
| REBECCA MACTAGGART | — |
Transportation TRA
United Spinal staff participated in a quarterly call with Amtrak along with other representatives from disability organizations. United Spinal staff participated in a meeting with Amtrak to review their plans for their replacement long-distance trainsets. United Spinal staff met with DOT staff to provide information about the results of United Spinals data gathering efforts regarding the availability of accessible parking spaces in different states and urging DOT to support updating the current ADA minimum standards for the number of accessible parking spaces required in lots and garages. House Senate United Spinal supported the accessibility provisions in, H.R. 7126, the Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act, introduced by Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4). https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7126/all-info?s=1&r=3 Department of Labor Department of Transportation United Spinal contributed comments and responded to comments of others in an IdeaScale: Dialogue about Exploring the Future of Public Transportation Research: A National Online Dialogue Comments in part included topic about research keeping pace with the continuing development of technologies that could improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Department of Transportation United Spinal supported the Department of Transportations future initiative to address the substantive issues involved with the service animal rule. The comments read in part, We request that as soon as possible you also convene meetings and conduct outreach throughout the disability community ,including wheelchair users, to address issues specific to the usefulness of the form, its role in the equitable air travel rights and responsibilities of passengers with disabilities as well as evaluating how well the current regulatory environment assist individuals using service animals in air travel. Department of Transportation United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force signed on to comments on the Department of Transportations request for information (RFI) on accessibility improvements for transportation facilities, Docket No: DOT-OST-2023-0166. United Spinal submitted our own comments to the U. S. Department of Transportations (DOT) request for information on accessibility improvements for transportation facilities, Docket No: DOT-OST-2023-0166. The comments read in part: United Spinal contributed to and wholeheartedly supports the comments submitted by the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) in response to this RFI. We wish to further comment on some topics specifically from the perspective of the wheelchair user. Department of Transportation United Spinal, as a member of the SecureRide Coalition, helped draft and signed a letter to Tool, Inc., a company that has submitted an application for a Department of Transportation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program 24-NH4 Phase I Pre-Offer, Re: 24-NH4: Lightweight Universal Docking Interface Geometry Manual Wheelchair Attachment. The letter read in part: The SecureRide Coalition strongly supports Tool, Inc.s application for the U. S. Department of Transportations (DOT) Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 24-NH4: Lightweight Universal Docking Interface Geometry Manual Wheelchair Attachment. Due to the obvious efficiencies that can be achieved by employing integrated research, design and development methodologies with the two essential components of a wheelchair securement system, SecureRide also fully supports Tool., Inc.s SBIR application, 24-NH6: Anchor Design for Universal Docking Interface Geometry. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration United Spinal, as a member of SecureRide, met with National Highway TrafficSafety Administration officials in the Human Factors/Engineering Integration Division to discuss coordination of development of safe wheelchair securement standards. United Spinal Association appreciated the opportunity to provide comments on the Department of Transportations (DOT) renewal of the Service Animal Behavior and Health Attestation Form and supported the Department of Transportations future initiative to address the substantive issues involved with the service animal rule. The comments read in part, We request that as soon as possible you also convene meetings and conduct outreach throughout the disability community, including wheelchair users, to address issues specific to the usefulness of the form, its role in the equitable air travel rights and responsibilities of passengers with disabilities as well as evaluating how well the current regulatory environment assist individuals using service animals in air travel.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
| STEPHEN MICHAEL LIEBERMAN | — |
Aviation/Airlines/Airports AVI
United Spinal Association supports: H.R. 3935/S. 1939 Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act/FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 United Spinal Association supports full inclusion of all of the provisions contained in H.R. 1267/ S. 545, the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (ACAAA) and H.R. 1499 / S. 753, the Good Jobs for Good Airports (GJGA) Act. As one of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) Advisory Committee recommendations: a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Public Awareness Campaign to Ensure Air Travelers with Disabilities Know Their Rights - United Spinal partcipated and provided recommendations. United Spinal Association supported is participating in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) ongoing efforts to launch a new database, Aviation Complaint, Enforcement, and Reporting System (ACERS). In support of Democratic Committee Members of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure letter sent to Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO Nicholas Calio expressing concern and dismay regarding the continued trend of mishandled wheelchairs and scooters.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
| STEPHEN MICHAEL LIEBERMAN | — |
| REBECCA MACTAGGART New | — |
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV
United Spinal supports the accessibility provisions in, H.R. 7351 / S. 3747, Removing Access Barriers to Running for Elected Office for People with Disabilities Act, introduced by Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4) and Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA). United Spinal supported the accessibility provisions in H.R. 7389 / S. 3748, Accessible Voting Act of 2024, introduced respectively by Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5) and Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA). United Spinal supports the accessibility provisions in H.R. 7350 / S. 3749, The Accessibility and Inclusion to Diversity Local Government Leadership Act (the AID Local Government Act) introduced by Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4) and Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA). United Spinal participated in White House Office of Public Engagement Aging and Disability Communities Calls on 2.29.24, 3/7/2024, 3/21/24. United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), signed on to comments the CCD submitted in response to the Department of Justices request, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability: Accessibility of Medical Diagnostic Equipment of State and Local Government Entities (DOJ-CRT-2024-0001). United Spinal also submitted our own comments on the above opportunity, DOJ-CRT-2024-0001-0001. The comments read in part, United Spinal Association supports DOJs efforts to apply specific requirements to accessible medical equipment. Inaccessible MDE effectively excludes certain people with disabilities from accessing routine examinations and specialized medical care. United Spinal participated in the National Council on Disabilitys virtual discussion about ground transportation for wheelchair users, sharing our lived experiences with the barriers commonly encountered. United Spinal staff led a delegation of disability organizations in a meeting with Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and Civil Rights Division section leaders to discuss many critical issues facing the disability community.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| STEPHEN MICHAEL LIEBERMAN | — |
District of Columbia DOC
United Spinal participated in a quarterly meeting of the Disability Community Advisory Group with DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| STEPHEN MICHAEL LIEBERMAN | — |
Veterans VET
United Spinal supported the accessibility provisions in H.R. 6373, the Veterans STAND Act of 2023, introduced by Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI-1). House Senate United Spinal, as a member of the, Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, signed onto a letter of support to the sponsors of H.R. 6373, the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices (STAND) Act of 2023.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
Telecommunications TEC
United Spinal responded to the Federal Communications Commissions The Reinstatement of Net Neutrality Rules (Docket No. 23-320) with comments. Which reads in part, Unfortunately, for the millions of people whom United Spinal represents, in too short a timeframe, the FCC has opined and acted on the need for dramatically more and dramatically less regulation with diametrically opposed voices. United Spinal supports H.R. 6929, The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, introduced by Representative Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-9). The bill would provide $7 billion to fund the ACP through FY24.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
| REBECCA MACTAGGART | — |
Insurance INS
H.R. 5408 / S. 2767 - Introduced by Representative Brian Higgins (D- NY-26) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), including CCDs Social Security Task Force (SSTF) and Housing Task Force (HTF), submitted comments to the Social Security Administrations Administrator in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Docket No. SSA-2023-0010 Expansion of Rental Subsidy Policy for SSI. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Social Security Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) submitted comments about the proposed expansion of the definition of public assistance household in the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI), Docket No. SSA-2023-0015. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Social Security Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) submitted comments about the proposed Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process: Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
Medicare/Medicaid MMM
Urge CMS to lift 'in the home' restriction under Medicare and Social Security Act language for wheelchairs. Support Medicare coverage for standing systems wheelchairs. Seek FY25 Appropriations programmatic report language: Medicare should provide coverage for individuals to obtain wheelchairs that allow them to integrate safely in both their communities and their homes. The Committee directs CMS to update the 2005 National Coverage Determination under Medicare for Mobility Assistive Equipment (MAE) by adding, and/or in the community" after "in the home. And urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide Medicare coverage for standing systems in power wheelchairs to facilitate increased options for independent and community living for all wheelchair users. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services United Spinal, along with numerous other disability and disability related organizations, as members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition and other supporting organizations that endorsed our original request in 2020 for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for Medicare coverage of seat elevation and standing systems in power wheelchairs, we write to reaffirm our request for CMS to expeditiously open an NCA for standing systems in Group 3 power wheelchairs, which are classified by Medicare as complex rehabilitative technology (CRT) wheelchair.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
| REBECCA MACTAGGART | — |
Government Issues GOV
United Spinal supports H.R.7138, Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2024, introduced by Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ-7). The bill increases income disregard amounts that have not changed since 1974. Social Security Administration (SSA) currently reduces benefit amounts based on these out-of-date amounts and updates the asset limit to $10,000 / $20,000 for an eligible couple, so people are not excluded for responsibly saving money. United Spinal supports H.R. 5408 / S. 2767, the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, introduced by Representative Brian Higgins (D- NY-26) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). United Spinal signed on to a Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities Social Security Task Force transition memo to the Honorable Martin OMalley, Commissioner, Social Security Administration. The comments in part read, We use our collective expertise to offer recommendations on a wide range of legislative and administrative issues impacting people with disabilities.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
Shown as published by the Senate Office of Public Records and the House Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The official filing is the record; open it for the full form.