UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION for UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

Veterans VET

Discussed: transportation difficulties experienced by veterans needing to travel to VA healthcare appointments. draft legislation that would improve benefits and services for veterans and their families. how to transform VAs vocational rehabilitation program into a 21st century vocational rehabilitation program. Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 (H.R. 5404). Restore Trust in Veterans Access to Health Care Act (H.R. 5007). Guarantee Housing for Terminally Ill Veterans Act (H.R. 4674). Rural Veterans Improvement Act of 2014 (S. 2009). Veteran Voting Support Act (S. 2145). Veterans Appeals Improvement Act of 2014 (S. 2296). 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act (S. 2091). This legislation would seek to improve the VA claims process. S. 2316, which would require the VAs Inspector General to submit a report on wait times for veterans seeking medical care from VA and to prohibit closure of VA medical facilities. S. 2362, which would prohibit the payment of performance awards in fiscal year 2015 to Veterans Health Administration employees. Increasing Medical Oversight in the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2014 (S. 2401). Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014 (H.R. 4810). H.R. 4037, the Improving Veterans Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Act of 2014. H.R. 2119, the Veterans Access to Speedy Review Act. H.R. 3876, the Burial with Dignity for Heroes Act of 2014. S. 1584 which would provide replacement automobiles for certain disabled veterans and servicemembers. with VAs Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service standards for installation of adaptive auto equipment paid for by VA. legislation to provide a presumption of service connection for mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma. legislation regarding telework for certain VA employees. H.R. 2088 which would direct VA to carry out a pilot program to establish claims adjudication centers of excellence. H.R. 2726 which would authorize VA to enter into contracts and agreements for the transfer of veterans to non-VA medical foster homes for certain veterans who are unable to live independently. Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013, as amended (S. 944). Access to Appropriate Immunizations for Veterans Act of 2013 (S. 1165). Improving the Lives of Children with Spina Bifida Act (S. 832). VA Claims Efficiency Through Information Act (H.R. 1623). H.R. 2189 which would establish a commission or task force to evaluate the backlog of disability claims. Veterans Pension Protection Act (H.R. 2341). Ending VA Claims Disability Backlog and Accountability Act (H.R. 2138). reforming the VAs claims process to ensure that it is veteran-centered. with advocates a legislative proposal to expand the approved uses of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. access to VA mental health services with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. VetSuccess Enhancement Act (H.R. 844). This legislation would extend from 12 to 17 years the authorized period for an eligible veteran to receive vocational training and rehabilitation from VA. H.R. 894 which would reform VAs fiduciary program. Reducing Barriers to Veterans Benefits Act (H.R. 369). Opposed the Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 733). Signed on to a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committee supporting additional resources for VA as it seeks to meet its healthcare obligations. Supported: the Protect Veterans Employment and Training Services Act (Protect VETS Act) (S. 2834). the Creating Options for Veterans Expedited Recovery Act (H.R. 4977). the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (H.R. 5059). Also discussed the Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (S. 2182). Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014 (H.R. 5484). Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act (H.R. 5032). H.R. 4971, the Ask Veterans Act. This legislation would solicit veterans opinions regarding their experiences with VA health care. S. 1659, the POST Act. This legislation would allow for-profit schools to receive no more than 85% of their revenues from federal sources and include DoD Tuition Assistance and G.I. Bill funds in the 85% calculation. S. 2115, the American Cures Act. This legislation would create a biomedical trust fund to sustain federal investment in four leading federal agencies and programs dedicated to mental health and prosthetic research for veterans. Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2014 (S. 2243/H.R. 4892). This legislation would increase access to caregiver benefits and make other critical changes needed to ensure improved services for significantly disabled veterans and servicemembers and their caregivers. Disabled Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act (H.R. 4247). This legislation would increase preference in federal hiring for veterans who have disability ratings of 70 percent or greater from VA. Express Appeals Act (H.R. 4616). This legislation would provide veterans with the opportunity to have their appeals of claims for disability compensation benefits reviewed using an expedited review process. Serving Americas Veterans Effectively Act (SAVE Act) (H.R. 5332). This legislation would promote greater awareness of the health care needs of our nations veterans by requiring health care providers who participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to ask about a patients veteran status. Veterans Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 (S. 2450). This legislation represents an important step toward ensuring that veterans have timely access to health care and that VA employees who gamed the system for scheduling care will be held accountable. S. 2450 was inserted into H.R. 3230 (Veterans Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014) as an amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 1950/S. 1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military and Retirement Pay Restoration Act. Also supported Amendment 2755 to add advance appropriations for additional VA accounts to S. 1982. H.R. 2527 which expands access to counseling and treatment for sexual trauma that occurred while a service member was on inactive duty for training status. H.R. 2974 which expands beneficiary travel for veterans seeking treatment or care for military sexual assault at a specialized outpatient or residential facility. H.R. 3958, the Healing our Heroes Act. This legislation would prevent veterans who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from being forced to prematurely end their rehabilitation due to the expiration of the Assisted Living Pilot Program for Veterans with TBI. In addition, we supported H.R. 4276 and S. 2607 which would also extend the authorization of the program. H.R. 4234, the Ensuring Veterans Resiliency Act. This legislation would encourage psychiatrists to dedicate their careers to serving our veterans by authorizing a select number of full-time hires to be offered loan repayment incentives commensurate with other federal entities. H.R. 4150, the Veterans Employment and Training Service Longitudinal Study Act of 2014. H.R. 4151, the Veterans Education Survey Act of 2014. H.R. 2018, the Honor Those Who Served Act of 2013. H.R. 2529, the Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act. H.R. 3671 which would furnish a medallion to signify the veteran status of a deceased individual. H.R. 4095/S. 2258, the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2014. H.R. 4102 which would allow the estates of deceased veterans to receive accrued benefits. H.R. 4141 which would allow enhanced-use leases for excess property of the National Cemetery Administration. S. 2311/H.R. 3508 which would clarify qualifications of hearing aid specialist of the VHA. Services to Veterans Caregivers (SOS Veterans Caregivers) Act (H.R. 3672). Protecting Those Who Protected Us Act of 2013 (S. 1564). Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act (H.R. 1980/H.R. 4191). House efforts to increase DOD and VA support for Joint Centers of Excellence. Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund Act of 2013 (H.R. 2797). Veterans Independent Living Enhancement Act (H.R. 3330). American Heroes COLA Act (H.R. 570). Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act (H.R. 602). Ruth Moore Act of 2013 (H.R. 671). Honor Americas Guard-Reserve Retirees Act (H.R. 679). VA Claims, Operations, and Records Efficiency Act (H.R. 1729). World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act (H.R. 1288). Blue Water Navy Ship Accountability Act (H.R. 1494). Pay As You Rate Act (H.R. 2086). H.R. 1809 which would require VA to provide notice of average times for processing claims and percentage of claims approved. Prioritizing Urgent Claims for Veterans Act (H.R. 2382). Disabled Veterans Access to Medical Exams Improvement Act (H.R. 2423). Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013 (H.R. 813/S. 932). Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act (S. 522). Veterans Affairs Research Transparency Act (S. 877). legislation authorizing VA to transport individuals to and from VA facilities in connection with rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, and care (H.R. 1702/S. 455). Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act of 2013 (H.R. 33

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); White House Office; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Social Security Administration (SSA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Bills named: H.R. 2018 (113th), H.R. 4095 (113th), H.R. 894 (113th), H.R. 4616 (113th), H.R. 2423 (113th), H.R. 4247 (113th), H.R. 2726 (113th), H.R. 844 (113th), H.R. 5332 (113th), H.R. 1809 (113th), H.R. 5484 (113th), S. 832 (113th), H.R. 5032 (113th), H.R. 2529 (113th), H.R. 570 (113th), H.R. 1729 (113th), H.R. 671 (113th), H.R. 369 (113th), S. 1659 (113th), H.R. 2341 (113th), H.R. 3230 (113th), H.R. 2088 (113th), S. 1564 (113th), H.R. 4150 (113th), S. 2316 (113th), S. 932 (113th), H.R. 4234 (113th), S. 2296 (113th), H.R. 1288 (113th), H.R. 1980 (113th), S. 2258 (113th), H.R. 4141 (113th), H.R. 2797 (113th), S. 2145 (113th), S. 877 (113th), H.R. 1494 (113th), H.R. 5059 (113th), H.R. 2382 (113th), H.R. 3958 (113th), H.R. 3672 (113th), H.R. 2138 (113th), H.R. 3876 (113th), H.R. 2086 (113th), H.R. 679 (113th), H.R. 1623 (113th), S. 2834 (113th), S. 455 (113th), S. 2091 (113th), S. 1950 (113th), S. 1584 (113th), S. 2243 (113th), H.R. 4674 (113th), H.R. 2189 (113th), H.R. 2974 (113th), H.R. 4191 (113th), S. 1165 (113th), H.R. 2119 (113th), H.R. 1702 (113th), H.R. 602 (113th), H.R. 4102 (113th), H.R. 3330 (113th), S. 944 (113th), H.R. 4151 (113th), S. 1982 (113th), H.R. 4276 (113th), H.R. 4977 (113th), S. 2362 (113th), H.R. 733 (113th), S. 2115 (113th), S. 2450 (113th), H.R. 4971 (113th), H.R. 4892 (113th), H.R. 33 (113th), H.R. 3508 (113th), H.R. 4810 (113th), S. 2182 (113th), S. 2009 (113th), H.R. 3671 (113th), S. 522 (113th), H.R. 5404 (113th), S. 2607 (113th), H.R. 2527 (113th), H.R. 813 (113th), H.R. 4037 (113th), H.R. 5007 (113th), S. 2401 (113th), S. 2311 (113th)

Defense DEF

Discussed the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4435/S. 2410). Discussed the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act compromise legislation (H.R. 3979). Supported S. 1659, the POST Act. This legislation would allow for-profit schools to receive no more than 85% of their revenues from federal sources and include DoD Tuition Assistance and G.I. Bill funds in the 85% calculation. Supported the Caring for Military Children with Developmental Disabilities Act of 2014 (H.R. 4630/S.2333). This legislation would improve access to behavioral health services, including applied behavior analysis, for TRICARE beneficiaries with autism and other developmental disabilities. Supported H.R. 164 which would permit former members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated as total to travel on military aircraft in the same manner and to the same extent as retired members of the Armed Forces are entitled to travel on such aircraft. Supported the Rehabilitative Therapy Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act (H.R. 1705). Discussed the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 967). Supported the Disabled Military Child Protection Act (H.R. 2249/S. 1076). Supported House efforts to increase DoD and VA support for Joint Centers of Excellence.

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); White House Office; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Education, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: S. 1659 (113th), S. 1076 (113th), H.R. 4630 (113th), S. 2333 (113th), S. 2410 (113th), H.R. 1705 (113th), H.R. 4435 (113th), H.R. 3979 (113th), H.R. 164 (113th), H.R. 2249 (113th), S. 967 (113th)

Foreign Relations FOR

Supported ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); White House Office; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Defense, Dept of (DOD)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

Supports the Presidents nomination of David Lopez for a second term as General Counsel of the EEOC and his nomination of Charlotte Burrows for a seat on the Commission.

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Education, Dept of; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); White House Office; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE; Defense, Dept of (DOD); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Transportation TRA

Discussed the Transportation for Heroes Act of 2013 (H.R. 2362). Discussed mobility and other equipment handling, use of technology to improve the airline passenger experience, and service animals.

Contacted: Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Defense, Dept of (DOD); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); White House Office; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Education, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 2362 (113th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Supported the Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act (H.R. 3422) which would provide tax credits for first time veteran homebuyers and for housing adaptations. Supported Senate efforts to extend and expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to incentivize business hiring of people with disabilities and veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Contacted: White House Office; SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Education, Dept of

Bills named: H.R. 3422 (113th)

Health Issues HCR

Discussed the Suicide Prevention Research INnovaTion Act (S. 2035). Supported the Mental Health First Aid Act of 2013 (S. 153). Supported ensuring network adequacy and protections for pediatric benefits within ACA's essential health benefits. Supports providing improved guidance around notification on Medicare eligibility to individuals not yet collecting Social Security benefits. Supports improving health benefit designs and a guarantee that there is health insurance plan transparency for Affordable Care Act enrollees. Supports protecting the definition of habilitative services and ensuring nondiscrimination as its relates to the provision of health benefits and services. Continues to discuss the 21st Century Cures Initiative with Congress. This initiative attempts to ensure improved access in the discovery, development and delivery of pharmaceutical therapies for the spinal cord injury community. Supports improved access to durable medical equipment and assistive technologies. Supports the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) addressing patient safety issues and the need for more guidance from the FDA on how biologics and biosimilars are being tested and made available to the public. Urges Congress to repeal the cap on therapy services under Medicare. Urges Congress to pursue passage of Ensuring Access To Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act (HR 942/S. 948). Urges Congress to pass HR 4920 - The DMEPOS Medicare Improvement Act - requires state licenses for providers of durable medical equipment (DME) providers and requires that DME companies contracted with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid must be bound by that contract to provide services and equipment to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Supports S. 1027 - improved co-ordination of disability and rehabilitation research funding at the National Institutes of Health. Opposes site-neutral payments under Medicare. Supports CMS including a broader range of remote access technologies in the basic health benefit packages offered under CMS.

Contacted: Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Education, Dept of; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); White House Office; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Bills named: H.R. 942 (113th), S. 948 (113th), S. 153 (113th), S. 1027 (113th), S. 2035 (113th), H.R. 4920 (113th)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

Discussed possible solutions for improving access to Medicaid for military families who have children with disabilities.

Contacted: SENATE; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Education, Dept of; Labor, Dept of (DOL); White House Office; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Housing HOU

Supported the Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2013 (Haven Act) (H.R. 385/H.R. 3743/S. 1387). This legislation will leverage the ability of nonprofits to assist disabled and low-income veterans with needed housing adaptations and home repairs. Discussed the Homes for Heroes Act of 2013 (H.R. 384/H.R. 386). Requested adequate funding for the 811 PRA program in HUDs request to OMB. Through the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program, HUD provides funding to develop and subsidize rental housing with the availability of supportive services for very low- and extremely low-income adults with disabilities. Discussed the Universal Home Design Act (S. 2889) which would increase the availability of accessible housing for individuals with disabilities.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Education, Dept of; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); White House Office; Social Security Administration (SSA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 386 (113th), S. 2889 (113th), H.R. 384 (113th), H.R. 3743 (113th), S. 1387 (113th), H.R. 385 (113th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Discussed the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 83).

Contacted: Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); SENATE; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Education, Dept of

Bills named: H.R. 83 (113th)

Insurance INS

Signed on to a letter to President Obama urging him to address in his 2016 budget proposal the impending cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance benefits due to the projected depletion of the reserve funds. Supported the CHAMPVA Childrens Protection Act (H.R. 288/S. 325). This legislation increases from 23 to 26 the maximum age of eligibility for certain dependent children of veterans for medical care under CHAMPVA (the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs). Discussed improvements to HR 4090, the Social Security Fraud and Error Prevention Act of 2014 and HR 5260, the Stop Disability Fraud Act of 2014. Supports providing improved guidance around notification on Medicare eligibility to individuals not yet collecting Social Security benefits. Supports Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014, HR 647/S. 313. Continue to advocate for improvements to the law.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Education, Dept of; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); White House Office; Labor, Dept of (DOL)

Bills named: H.R. 647 (113th), H.R. 288 (113th), S. 325 (113th), H.R. 5260 (113th), S. 313 (113th), H.R. 4090 (113th)

Education EDU

Opposed the Academic Freedom Through Regulatory Relief Act (H.R. 2637). Supported S. 1659, the POST Act. This legislation would allow for-profit schools to receive no more than 85% of their revenues from federal sources and include DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) and G.I. Bill funds in the 85% calculation. Supported the Ensuring Quality Education for Veterans Act draft legislation which would ensure that veterans educational benefits are counted as federal financial assistance under the 90-10 rule. Participated in a listening session with officials from the Office of Management and Budget regarding the Department of Educations proposed Gainful Employment Rule.

Contacted: Education, Dept of; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Social Security Administration (SSA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Defense, Dept of (DOD); White House Office; Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: S. 1659 (113th), H.R. 2637 (113th)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

Urged the Department of Labors Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training Service to swiftly implement Section 521 of the National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113-66). Discussed with the Department of Labor implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (P.L. 113-128) as it relates to disabled veterans. Supported the Protect Veterans Employment and Training Services Act (Protect VETS Act) (S. 2834). Discussed recommendations for implementation of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Acct of 1973. US DOL Home Care Rule - Urges Congress to delay implmentation of the DOL Home Care Rule. Supports providing improved guidance around notification on Medicare eligibility to individuals not yet collecting Social Security benefits.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); SENATE; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Education, Dept of; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); White House Office

Bills named: S. 2834 (113th)

Homeland Security HOM

Discussed ways that FEMA can improve communications with the disability community on emergency preparedness issues.

Contacted: Defense, Dept of (DOD); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Education, Dept of; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); White House Office; Social Security Administration (SSA); SENATE

Medical/Disease Research/Clinical Labs MED

Supported S. 2115, the American Cures Act. This legislation would create a biomedical trust fund to sustain federal investment in four leading federal agencies and programs dedicated to mental health and prosthetic research for veterans. Supported the CAL Undiagnosed Diseases Research and Collaboration Network Act of 2013 (H.R. 1591).

Contacted: White House Office; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Education, Dept of; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Social Security Administration (SSA)

Bills named: S. 2115 (113th), H.R. 1591 (113th)

Communications/Broadcasting/Radio/TV COM

Dialogue with the Federal Communications Commission regarding the Roadmap for Improving E911 Location Accuracy, highlighting the need for close monitoring of this roadmap to ensure adjustments can be made throughout the process.

Contacted: White House Office; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Education, Dept of; SENATE; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)