UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION for UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

Veterans VET

See next page. Testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding the need to improve employment opportunities for veterans with significant disabilities. The written testimony covered issues relating to the Workforce Investment Act, Social Security, vocational rehabilitation, and attitudinal barriers to the employment of people with disabilities. Supported the Helping our Homeless Veterans Act (S. 411/HR 1133). This legislation would allow changes to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program to ensure that homeless veterans receive more effective case management services. Discussed the CHAMPVA Childrens Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 115). 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 [VA]). Urged Congress to expand the extended caregivers program authorized by the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (P.L. 111-163) to include all veterans who are eligible for VA health care and meet certain needs-based criteria. Urged Congress to expand VA home and community-based services for veterans with disabilities. Urged Congress to increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits and to eliminate the offset of military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. Discussed the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 (S. 951). This legislation seeks to improve employment opportunities for veterans. Urged Congress to provide appropriate oversight for and resources to address the VAs benefits claims processing backlog. Urged VA to accept the authority granted to them by states through the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to serve as a voter registration agency. Supported the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services Improvements Act of 2011 (S. 957). This legislation would help to ensure that veterans with traumatic brain injuries receive the critical rehabilitation services needed to allow them to maximize their independence. Supported proposed House legislation that would develop a patient registry to help facilitate collaboration and research regarding undiagnosed diseases. Supported the Housing, Employment, and Living Programs (HELP) for Veterans Act of 2011 (H.R. 117). This legislation includes provisions that would not only reform the VAs Special Home Adaptation grant program to allow veterans who meet the nationally accepted standard of legal blindness to receive assistance with critical home modification, but also increase the amount of grant funding available for this program and the Specially Adapted Housing grant program. Supported the Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act (H.R. 1671). This legislation would extend until December 31, 2016, the authority of the VA Secretary to provide adaptive housing assistance under the Temporary Residence Adaptation grant program to veterans with disabilities who are temporarily residing with family members. Supported the proposed amendment in the nature of a substitute to the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (H.R. 198). This legislation directs the VA Secretary to carry out a pilot program for assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of service dog training and handling for veterans with disabilities. Supported legislation establishing an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 805). This legislation directs the VA Secretary to ensure that an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights is printed on signage in accessible formats and displayed prominently and conspicuously in each VA prosthetics and orthotics clinic. It also requires VA employees who work at such clinics, as well as patient advocates of veterans who receive care there, to receive training on the Bill of Rights and directs the Secretary to conduct outreach to inform veterans about it. Supported the Veterans Equal Treatment for Service Dogs Act (VETS Dogs Act) (H.R. 1154/S. 769). The VETS Dogs Act states that the VA Secretary may not prohibit the use of service dogs in VA facilities or on VA property.

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; State, Dept of (DOS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Social Security Administration (SSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Labor, Dept of (DOL); White House Office

Bills named: S. 411 (112th), S. 957 (112th), H.R. 198 (112th), S. 769 (112th), H.R. 115 (112th), H.R. 805 (112th), H.R. 1671 (112th), H.R. 1133 (112th), H.R. 117 (112th), H.R. 1154 (112th), S. 951 (112th)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

Testified at DOJ hearing on ADA proposed rulemaking re: doctor-patient communications, online communications, equipment and furnishings in clinical settings relative to the care of people with disabilities.

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); White House Office; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; State, Dept of (DOS)

Housing HOU

Supported the Helping our Homeless Veterans Act (S. 411/HR 1133). This legislation would allow changes to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program to ensure that homeless veterans receive more effective case management services.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; State, Dept of (DOS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); SENATE; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); White House Office; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA)

Bills named: H.R. 1133 (112th), S. 411 (112th)

Defense DEF

Urged Congress to eliminate the offset of military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. Discussed potential amendment to the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act regarding special needs trusts and military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities.

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); State, Dept of (DOS); White House Office; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Justice, Dept of (DOJ)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

See next page Supporting reintroduction in the 112th Congress of the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2009 (ABLE Act). This legislation will allow individuals with disabilities to have access to the same type of savings instruments that other Americans use through the use of 401K, IRA and College Savings Account Families could establish savings accounts for specified education, medical and community-based services, including housing, transportation, employment training, and supports without jeopardizing other benefits vital to beneficiaries.

Contacted: SENATE; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); State, Dept of (DOS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); White House Office; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Telecommunications TEC

Testimony to FCC in Support of AT&T and T-Mobile Merger

Contacted: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); White House Office; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); State, Dept of (DOS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Health Issues HCR

See following page. Have continued to advocate against the repeal of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Have met with Congressional staff and signed letters of support for the ACA and full enactment of provisions included in it. Participated in HHS discussion of data development on health disparities. Recommended to the DHHS Secretary and the Quality Measures Workgroup of the Health Information Technology Policy Committee ways to address the health care needs of people with disabilities within the new clinical quality measures to be developed to leverage the evolving health IT infrastructure and decrease disability health disparities. Supported HR 1862 the National Regenerative Medicine Strategy legislation. Supported HR 2376 the Stem Cell Research Advancement Act.

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); State, Dept of (DOS); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Bills named: H.R. 2376 (112th), H.R. 1862 (112th)

Foreign Relations FOR

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

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); White House Office; State, Dept of (DOS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

See next page Participated in meetings with CMS concerning round one and the upcoming round two of the Medicare DME Competitive Bidding program. Joined with CCD Colleagues to urge both the Senate and House about the drastic Medicaid cuts and restructuring proposals within the then-proposed House Budget for FY 2012 introduced by Representative Ryan, noting it would cause a public health crisis on a national scale. Such deep cuts would undermine the integrity of the Medicaid program and would likely result in an increased number of Americans unable to access the care they need. We urged lawmakers to protect Medicaid from such drastic cuts and from other harmful changes to the program, such as block grants or caps on federal funding. Met with Congressional members to advocate on the importance of Medicaid for people with disabilities. Worked on draft legislation that would create a separate category for complex rehabilitative technology under Medicare. Supported a House bill sponsored by Representatives Glenn Thompson and Jason Altmire to end the Medicare competitive bidding program for home medical equipment and services (HME) in view of its serious flaws and its impact on patients access to medically required home medical equipment and services. Supported Senate bill introduced by Senators Cardin and Collins to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps. Supported a House bill introduced by Representatives Thornberry and Carnahan to in the House and amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit coverage of certain covered part D drugs for uses that are determined to be for medically accepted indications based upon clinical evidence in peer reviewed medical literature Urged Congress to ensure stable Medicaid and CHIP coverage, per provisions in the Affordable Care Act, by requiring states to hold steady on Medicaid and CHIP eligibility until 2014 for adults and 2019 for children. To date, these stability protections have worked exactly as intended, preventing states from reducing Medicaid and CHIP eligibility and adding red-tape barriers to enrollment just when people need help the most. Discussed possible solutions for improving access to Medicaid for military families who have children with disabilities. Met with the White House to talk about the Maitenance of Effort (MOE) under Medicaid. As well as communicated with with the House and Senate on the MOE issue.

Contacted: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Social Security Administration (SSA); White House Office; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); State, Dept of (DOS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE

Budget/Appropriations BUD

See next page Supported CCD testimony before Senate Appropriation on the FY 2012 budget request for the Social Security Administration and the impacts of possible cuts to the Fiscal Year 2011 budget. Joined with CCD Colleagues to urge both the Senate and House about the drastic Medicaid cuts and restructuring proposals within the House Budget Resolution for FY 2012 introduced by Representative Ryan, noting it would cause a public health crisis on a national scale. Such deep cuts would undermine the integrity of the Medicaid program and would likely result in an increased number of Americans unable to access the care they need. We urged lawmakers to protect Medicaid from such drastic cuts and from other harmful changes to the program, such as block grants or caps on federal funding. Met with Congressional members in the House and Senate to discuss alternatives to Medicaid block granting as methods to save on federal spending (see also Medicaid) Supported the proposal of the Coalition for Health Funding for Function 550 program funding within the FY 2012 federal budget. Supported The Independent Budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) budget recommendations for VA and related agencies serving veterans for FY 2012. Urged members of Congress to support full funding for Social Security Administration to ensure continuing progress at reducing the growing backlog of disability determination hearings around the country. Discussed the potential impact of the budget proposal of House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan on programs for veterans and people with disabilities. Discussed the potential impact of the deficit reduction proposals of Senator Claire McCaskill on programs that benefit veterans with disabilities. Met with members and staff in both the House and Senate to discuss budget reductions in light of the debt limit and implications for people with disabilities.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); State, Dept of (DOS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Justice, Dept of (DOJ)

Insurance INS

See next page Met with senior HHS officials, members and staff of the House and Senate to talk about the future of the CLASS Act as well as health reform implementation. Discussed the CHAMPVA Childrens Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 115). 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 [VA]). Urged members of Congress to support full funding for Social Security Administration to ensure continuing progress at reducing the growing backlog of disability determination hearings around the country. Continued support of the Community Living Assistance and Supports Act (CLASS Act) to create a national insurance program financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide services to assist people with activities of daily living in order to stay in their homes and communities if they become disabled. People would not be required to qualify for Medicaid or go into a nursing home or other institution in order to receive benefits. Discussed the CHAMPVA Childrens Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 115). 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 [VA]). Testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding the need to improve employment opportunities for veterans with significant disabilities. The written testimony covered issues relating to the Workforce Investment Act, Social Security, vocational rehabilitation, and attitudinal barriers to the employment of people with disabilities. Endorsed the importance of Social Security for veterans and their families through the booklet, Social Security: Serving Those Who Serve Our Nation. Opposed chained CPI for Social Security COLA Formula

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); State, Dept of (DOS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Labor, Dept of (DOL)

Bills named: H.R. 115 (112th)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

See next page Testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding the need to improve employment opportunities for veterans with significant disabilities. The written testimony covered issues relating to the Workforce Investment Act, Social Security, vocational rehabilitation, and attitudinal barriers to the employment of people with disabilities. Submitted written comments to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions regarding the staff discussion draft of the Workforce Investment Act reauthorization.

Contacted: Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); State, Dept of (DOS); SENATE; White House Office; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)