UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION for UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION
What was lobbied
9 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Health Issues HCR
Supports "Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act (S. 1298). Supports "Better Care Better Jobs Act" (H.R. 547/S. 100). Supports "Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Access Act" (H.R. 1493/ S. 762). United Spinal Association provided comments on the proposed update to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mission statement. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Disability & Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) endorsed comments on the proposed update to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mission statement. On November 20th, United Spinal policy staff, along with numerous other members of the Disability Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC), met with representatives for the National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke to discuss medical rehabilitation programs and needs. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Disability & Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) provided comments supporting a Limb Loss Preservation Registry (LLPR). United Spinal provided a letter of support for a proposed project from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Researchs (NIDILRR) request for proposals on field-Initialed Projects, Dynamic Comfort of Vehicle Occupants in Wheelchairs. United Spinal provided a letter of support for a proposed project from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Researchs (NIDILRR) request for proposals on field-Initialed Projects, Developing Education Modules to Promote Use of Crash Tested Wheelchairs".
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
| REBECCA MACTAGGART | — |
Transportation TRA
Support the Transportation Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act - H.R. 5859 United Spinal participated in a quarterly call with AMTRAK along with other representatives from disability organizations. United Spinal Association staff participated in a meeting with AMTRAK to review their plans for their replacement long-distance trainsets. United Spinal Association supported and participated in the U.S. Department of Transportations Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) ongoing efforts to launch a new database, Aviation Complaint, Enforcement, and Reporting System (ACERS). United Spinal policy staff, as members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force, met with representatives from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to discuss issues related to wheelchair securement in ground transportation. United Spinal Association staff, as members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force, met with representatives from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to discuss issues related to wheelchair securement in ground transportation. Met with the U.S. Access Board to discuss wheelchair securement in ground transportation. Supports Disaster Relief Medicaid Act - S. 3120/H.R. 6029.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
| STEPHEN MICHAEL LIEBERMAN | — |
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV
United Spinal led a delegation of disability organizations in a meeting with Assistant Attorney General, DOJ, Kristen Clarke and Civil Rights Division section leaders to discuss many critical issues facing the disability community. United Spinal signed a thank you letter to the Department of Health and Human Services for publishing its proposed rule updating Section 504 regulations. Section 504 - Rehabilitation Act - United Spinal Association submitted comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities. Docket No: 2023-19149, RIN: 0945-AA15. United Spinal also endorsed and drafted comments submitted by the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities. United Spinal Association. as members of the Disability & Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) endored/drafted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of multiple Task Forces of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) submitted comments about the proposed Department of Justices Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act for web- and mobile-app-based information and services. United Spinal signed and drafted a Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities comment letter to the Department of Health and Human Services providing comments on its proposed rule updating Section 504 regulations. in response to the landmark proposed rule that would update and advance protections for people with disabilities pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. United Spinal signed and wrote a comment letter to HHS on its proposed rule updating Section 504 regulations. United Spinal signed a letter to the Department of Justice applauding the release of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking implementing Title II of the ADA for web- and mobile-app-based information and services and providing comments. United Spinal signed a letter to the Census Bureau opposing proposed changes to the definition of disability in the American Community Survey. On November 29th, United Spinal staff participated remotely in a hybrid Capitol Hill briefing from members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) for members of Congress. Supports REAADI for Disasters Act/S. 1049/H.R. 2371. Endorsed American Spinal Injury Association/Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals' Letter to the U.S. Census Bureau raising concerns about diminished calculations of the disability population. Discussed pending nominations with White House Office. Discussed advocating for Medicare coverage of standing CRT under the DMEPOS benefit with White House Office.
| 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 Association/VetsFirst supports the Veterans Accessibility Act - S.2516.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
Aviation/Airlines/Airports AVI
United Spinal Association supports accessibility provisions for people with disabilities in the following bills to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administrations programs: H.R. 3935, Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act - S. 1939, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023, United Spinal Association support full inclusion of all of the provisions contained in H.R. 1267/ S. 545, the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (ACAAA), H.R. 1499 / S. 753, the Good Jobs for Good Airports (GJGA) Act. United Spinal Association supported a letter sent by Democratic Committee Members of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure sent to Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO Nicholas Calio expressing concern and dismay regarding the continued trend of mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, most recently on display in a video showing airline employees mistreatment of a passengers wheelchair at the Miami International Airport (MIA). United Spinal Association supported and participated in a working group, dedicated to implementing 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 Association supported and participated in the U.S. Department of Transportations Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) on-going efforts to launch a new database, Aviation Complaint, Enforcement, and Reporting System (ACERS).
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
| STEPHEN MICHAEL LIEBERMAN | — |
| REBECCA MACTAGGART New | — |
Telecommunications TEC
United Spinal Association, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Technology & Telecommunications Task Force signed on to a letter to the leadership of the Congressional Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus to express our strong support for the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and to urge Congress to allocate additional funding to this crucial initiative. United Spinal Association supports H.R. 4858 / S. 2494, the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act, reintroduced by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Representative Anna G. Eshoo (CA-16). This legislation would update and strengthen existing accessibility regulations secured through Senator Markeys CVAA to stay up-to-date with the proliferation of new technologies-from video conferencing platforms to artificial intelligence-which have become prevalent since the CVAA became law in 2010. United Spinal Association, along with numerous other disability organizations, as members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Technologies and Telecommunications Task Force, engaged with the Director of the Government-wide IT Accessibility Program, U.S. General Services Administration and his fellow colleagues, from the Federal CIO Council's Accessibility Community of Practice, who presented on their ongoing work to support Section 508 across the federal government. United Spinal Association consulted with Senate congressional staff on potential legislative language regarding federal departments and agencies compliance with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. United Spinal Association, as a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Technologies and Telecommunications Task Force, shared a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 8.17.23 outreach email with fellow Task Force members that while 20 million households have signed up to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program, one organization estimates that at least 48 million households are eligible.
| 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
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act of 2023, S. 3118. Wrote a comment letter to CMS requesting their continued work with the disability community on issues involving the role that home health aide services play in ensuring the health, well-being, and independence of beneficiaries across the nation and provided Request for Information comments and for the following: Medicare Program; Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Home Health (HH) Prospective Payment System Rate Update; HH Quality Reporting Program Requirements; HH Value-Based Purchasing Expanded Model Requirements; Home Intravenous Immune Globulin Items and Services; Hospice Informal Dispute Resolution and Special Focus Program Requirements, Certain Requirements for Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics and Orthotics Supplies; and Provider and Supplier Enrollment Requirements. [CMS-1780-P] Wrote a comment letter to CMS in response to the proposed rulemaking: Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services NPRM (CMS 2442-P) especially as it relates to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). United Spinal expressed their support of the proposed rulemaking and its impacts on our members. On November 2nd, United Spinal, along with numerous other organizations, as members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition met with representatives of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to discuss the status of a proposed issuance of a National Coverage Determination (NCD) for power wheelchair standing systems. Supported the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Product Act of 2023 as a member of the ITEM Coalition Steering Committee. Enodrsed/drafted joint ITEM/CPR Coalition Letter on Section 504 Proposed Rule. Endorsed letter to CDC and GAO and U.S. Senate on access to catheters and catheter acquired urinary tract infections. United Spinal supports Telehealth Expansion Act - S. 1001/H.R. 1848
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRA BENNEWITH | — |
| TIMOTHY KENT KEYSER | — |
| REBECCA MACTAGGART | — |
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.