UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION for UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

Aviation/Airlines/Airports AVI

United Spinal Association helped draft and endorsed principles on face masks/coverings, social distancing and security screenings for people with disabilities in light of COVID-19 and sent to the Transportation Security Administration. "Considerations for Screening Passengers with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Pandemic."

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

As a member of ITEM Coalition's Steering Committee, support and advocate for Medicare coverage of seat elevation and standing feature.

Contacted: Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Health Issues HCR

COVID-19 Advocacy/CARES Act Support A one-year expansion of federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. An expansion of the paid leave program to cover family caregiving of adults with disabilities, which would allow all family members, not just parents, to take paid leave for caregiving. Additional pay of up to $10,000 for personal care attendants, home health aides, and direct support professionals for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional round of Economic Impact Payments, resolving bureaucratic issues for SSI, SSDI, and VA benefits recipients, and fixing an issue that left adult dependents ineligible for these payments. A requirement that that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) make specific plans to ensure that COVID-19 testing is accessible to people with disabilities and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. A requirement that States ensure that absentee or mail-in ballots are accessible for people with disabilities. Support All Dependent Children Count Act introduced by Rep. Craig in the House (H.R. 6420), and Sen. Smiths All Dependents Count Act, S. 3652. Support H.R. 6680 which would disregard unemployment benefits from eligibility consideration for means-tested programs such as SSI and SNAP - Strengthening UI for Coronavirus Impacted Workers and Students Act. Department of Health and Human Services Supported letter to Secretary Azar and Director Severino to express our strong and urgent support for the Departments Office for Civil Rights to issue additional guidance to ensure that schemes to ration scarce health care resources during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic comply with federal nondiscrimination laws. Justice in Aging request HHS Secretary Azar to Remove Barriers for Medicare Enrollment During COVID Pandemic United Spinal joined Justice in Aging and numerous organizations requesting the Department of Health and Human Services take action to remove barriers and to streamline enrollment in health insurance coverage for low-income older adults and people with disabilities who are at highest risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19. United Spinal advocated to exempt non-invasive ventilators from Medicares competitive bidding program which limits choice for consumers and cuts reimbursement to Medicare providers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the wrong time to place additional restrictions on access to life-saving equipment. United Spinal sent in its own letter to Congress along with other stakeholders such as the ALS Association and the company RESMED. As a CCD Rights Task Force co-chair, United Spinal advocacy and policy staff signed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, CMS Administrator Seema Verma, and CDC Director Robert Redfield urging them to collect and report data on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, including numbers of tests, testing rates, numbers and rates of positive tests, hospitalizations, deaths and death rates, recoveries, transfers from community living to institutional settings and discharges from institutional settings, and analysis of that data to identify trends and correlational factors. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff provided comments as part of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) to Senator Warren (D-MA) and Reps. Pressley (D-MA) & Kelly (D-IL) on a bill to require the CDC to collect and report demographic data related to COVID-19; we urged them to include data collection on disability factors. oOn April 14, Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Robin Kelly, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others introduced the Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect and report racial, ethnic, and other demographic data on COVID testing, treatment, and fatality rates. The introduced legislation did mention disability but did not include significant focus on the importance of disability data collection. oMembers of the DRRC, which includes United Spinal, along with other stakeholders, drafted revisions to the legislation. The edits were intended to achieve three purposes: 1) integrate the concerns and interests of the disability community throughout the bill to ensure that disability rights are universally considered civil rights, 2) include on the mandated data collection commission agencies with disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research portfolios, and 3) authorize targeted COVID research funding to NIDILRR comparable to the targeted funding provided to other research agencies. These edits were shared with Sen. Warrens office along with other congressional disability champions, including Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). Following work in March that resulted in Federal guidance being issued by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services to remind States and health care providers of their responsibilities under Federal law not to discriminate against people with disabilities in providing health care, United Spinal signed onto a guidance document developed by the disability community outlining principles for states and health care providers to follow in adhering to the Federal guidance. United Spinal also joined over 400 organizations in calling on HHS for additional Federal guidance on nondiscrimination in health care to be issued by OCR. United Spinal, as a member of the ITEM Coalition Steering Committee, endorsed a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar urging for improved access to this treatment. We have written to CMS before about the complex and burdensome billing requirements associated with the dNPWT benefit that have resulted in decreased patient access to this important treatment. Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a Steering Committee member of CPR endorsed comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services highlighting important provisions of benefit to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries: Revisions to supplemental benefits for beneficiaries with chronic conditions (SSBCI), Network adequacy requirements for MA plans, Star rating program enhancements, and New tools for beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program (Part D). PCHAlliance Proposed Rule and Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D and Medicaid United Spinal, as a member of PCHAlliance signed onto this coalitions letter: Interoperable, connected health, requires a broad ecosystem of shared digital health information. It is particularly noteworthy that this proposed rule advances Medicare Advantage coverage of patient centered digital, interoperable, connected healthcare. PCHAlliance members support the advancement of evidence based connected health. CMS work to develop and ensure appropriate use of connected care is particularly noteworthy as one of the key enablers of modernizing Medicare for the use of evidence based connected care is to improve patient outcomes. United Spinal comments on FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework United Spinal provided comments on the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) Request for Information on the FY 2021-2025 NIH-Wide Strategic Plan Framework, in support of strengthening and advancing disability and rehabilitation research and included support of the comments submitted by the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition, of which United Spinal Association is a member. United Spinal supports COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act - S. 3740. United Spinal supports Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act - S. 3768. United States Postal Services (USPS) - COVID-19 United Spinal signed onto a letter, facilitated by AARP, to House and Senate leadership in support of USPS continued funding in order to provide the vital services that millions of Americans, especially older Americans and those with chronic conditions, depend upon, especially during this pandemic, as it relates to pharmacy and medical supplies needs as well as access to voting. United Spinal sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Aging Committee thanking them for holding a hearing examining the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on nursing homes and urging them to engage the disability community as they seek solutions. Support increased appropriations funding for the SCI Model Systems under the NIDILRR grant. Support continued appropriations funding for CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Value-Based Purchasing Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 [CMS-1737-P, RIN: 0938-AU13] - Concerns with the Patient-Driven Payment Model. CPR continues to be concerned with the observed and ongoing impact of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) implemented in the SNF PPS effective October 1, 2019. CMS implemented this new case-mix classification model to group patients admitted to SNFs during covered Medicare Part A stays, replacing the Resource Utilization Group, Version IV (RUG-IV) system. As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee, United Spinal endorsed these comments: Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Rule [CMS-1729-P; RIN 0938-AU05]. Under this proposal, non-physician practitioners would be able to conduct or designate another certified clinician to conduct the preadmission screening (PAS), review and concur with the findings of the preadmission screening, conduct the post-admission physician evaluation (PAPE), which CMS proposes to eliminate, lead the required weekly interdisciplinary team meetings, conduct required face-to-face visits with the patient, and develop and modify the patients plan of care. In sum, CMS proposes to defer to the IRF to determine whether a non-physician practitioner has sufficient specialized training and experience in inpatient rehabilitation to essentially fulfill the role of the rehabilitation physician. CPR views this proposal as a major broadside attack on the integrity and value of care provided by inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and units. We strongly oppose this proposal and believe that, if finalized, it would materially undercut IRF care and decrease the level and quality of care provided in an IRF, potentially causing significant harm to patients with complex conditions who need an intensive, coordinated, interdisciplinary course of inpatient hospital-level rehabilitation treatment.

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); SENATE; Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 6680 (116th), S. 3740 (116th), H.R. 6420 (116th), S. 3768 (116th), S. 3652 (116th)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

United Spinal and American Council of the Blind and numerous other organizations that actively represent and work to advance civil rights for people with disabilities wrote to Congressional leadership to express concern that the CARES Act, H.R. 748, fails to reinforce to states that they must ensure equal access to Federal elections for voters with disabilities when administering funds pursuant to this Act.

Contacted: Transportation Security Administration (TSA); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Bills named: H.R. 748 (116th)

Defense DEF

Defense: Senate Subcommittee on Defense on Appropriations Supported a coalition letter to Chairman Shelby and Ranking Member Durbin outlining the request for continued FY 2021 funding the Gulf War Illness Research Program, part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) within the Department of Defense. Defense: Senate and House Armed Services Committees Supported a coalition letter to Chairman Inhofe, Ranking Member Reed, Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Thornberry regarding the need to waive co-payments for Tricare mail-order prescriptions for the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to decrease traffic in the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) pharmacies effort to protect service members, their families, retirees, and vital medical staff. Co-signed a letter to Chairmen Inhofe and Smith and Ranking Members Reed and Thornberry with the Toxic Exposures in the American Military (TEAM) Coalition to express our priorities for toxic exposure legislation, as they relate to the Department of Defense (DOD) for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. Defense: Senate and House Subcommittee on Defense on Appropriations Supported letter to Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Calvert to encourage continued support and a funding increase by five percent plus inflation for the critical and highly successful defense health research programs funded through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense (DoD). Many of these programs are directly related to preparedness and response to global pandemics, while other equally important CDMRPs fund research to protect the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, military families, veterans, and civilian populations from a wide range of medical conditions and health challenges. Defense: House and Senate Subcommittee of Military Personnel Armed Services Committee Supported a letter submitted by The Military Coalition to urge inclusion of a provision in the FY21 NDAA to halt planned downsizing of military hospitals and clinics. Military treatment facility (MTF) restructuring directed by the FY17 NDAA and medical billet cuts proposed in the FY21 DoD budget are based on outdated assessments of military medical end strength requirements. The COVID-19 pandemic demands medical readiness requirements be reassessed and updated with lessons learned from the whole of nation response to the coronavirus emergency.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Roads/Highway ROD

United Spinal endorsed comments from the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities Transportation Task Force to the Department of Transportation on the agencys Design Challenge Initiative, highlighting recommendations in accessible design. United Spinal also sent in its own comments. United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force, supported a letter to the U.S. House and U.S. Senate submitted by the Task Forces Co-Chairs urging increased funding for Department of Transportation (DOT) programs impacting people with disabilities in the FY 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD) appropriations bill. United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task, supported a Task Force Co-Chairs letter to House leadership to urge amending mask and protective face covering requirements for all passengers in transit, Amtrak and air travel in in the HEROES Act, and to take into consideration the needs of people with disabilities. United Spinal supports the Disability Access to Transportation Act, H.R 6248. U.S. Department of Transportation - Autonomous Vehicles United Spinal signed onto a letter sent to the Department of Transportation offering comments on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations proposed rulemaking on Occupant Protection for Automated Driving Systems. This proposed rulemaking seeks to update safety standards to take into account the inherent differences between typical road-worthy vehicles and autonomous vehicles. The letter offers several suggestions for incorporating the needs of people with disabilities. Comments Concerning Occupant Protection for Automated Driving Systems Docket Number: NHTSA-2020-0014 United Spinal, along with numerous disability organizations, as members of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task submitted comments in response to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) request for comments regarding Occupant Protection for Automated Driving Systems (ADSs). The letter read in part: The promise and safety of ADS-equipped vehicles will only be realized if vehicles equipped with ADS and without steering wheels are fully accessible, the Americans with Disabilities Act upheld, and safety elements take into account the needs of people with disabilities. We view this time of innovation and reimaging as an opportunity to not only maintain the current level of protection and performance offered by the 200 Series Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), but also to improve the levels of safety and accessibility that they afford. Surface Transportation Legislative Proposals and PrioritiesUnited Spinal, along with numerous disability organizations, as members of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task developed Surface Transportation Legislative Proposals and Priorities. Transportation is necessary for 57 million people with disabilities in the U.S. to contribute to and participate in their communities, support and spend time with family and friends, and live their lives to the fullest; however, significant barriers to accessible, equitable, reliable transportation remain across modes. Priorities cited include: Assess and increase the availability of fully-accessible, integrated transit and on-demand mobility services. Assess and address continued discrimination in transit and on-demand mobility services through partnerships and public accommodation and other issues.

Contacted: Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Bills named: H.R. 6248 (116th)

Telecommunications TEC

United Spinal endorsed a letter by HIMSS and PCHAlliance which expressed tremendous support for the $200 million in additional funding to enable the provision of telehealth under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and use those funds to establish the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, in addition to the $100 million for the Connected Care Pilot Program. Draft 2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan As a member of the PCHAlliance, United Spinal supported a letter in which the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and the Personal Connected Health Alliance (PCHAlliance) provided written comments in response to the Draft 2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan, which was published January 15, 2020. HIMSS and PCHAlliance suggest there is considerable value in the Strategic Plan placing greater emphasis on advancing health information infrastructure that enables individuals to take more control over their personal health and wellness through access to their personal health data and digital tools that educate and guide personal health decisions that support health and wellness. 2020 Communications and Video Accessibility Act - Biannual Report to Congress United Spinal supported comments submitted by the Co-Chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Technology and Telecommunications Task Force about the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) Public Notice seeking input on the 2020 Biannual report to Congress required by the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)( PL 111-260)(DA 20-216). For nearly ten years, we have worked to codify and implement the CVAA. We believe the CVAA has largely increased accessibility for people with disabilities. The increased amounts of accessible wireless devices, video content and equipment is directly related to the CVAA requirements and the collaboration between the Commission, industry, and the disability community. As we near the tenth anniversary of the CVAA, we remain committed to protect the requirements of the CVAA and to ensure the most accessible technology and telecommunications experience for all consumers.

Contacted: SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Veterans VET

Veterans: House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees Supported letter to Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Tester, Chairman Takano, and Ranking Member Roe requesting an immediate increase of 25% for catastrophically disabled veterans who receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)/Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit to cover the increased costs of PPE for their caregivers. Supported letter to Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Tester, Chairman Takano, and Ranking Member Roe outlining our 16 priorities and recommendations for the COVID19 relief packages. Supported letter to Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Tester, Chairman Takano, and Ranking Member Roe expressing our support for H.R. 6957, National Guard 5 COVID-19 Earned Benefits Guarantee Act that directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to treat a period of full-time National Guard duty as not shorter than 90 days when performed in response to the COVID-19 national emergency proclamation dated March 13, 2020. Veterans: Department of Veterans Affairs Supported a letter urging Secretary Wilkie to hold for-profit colleges targeting student veterans accountable under 38 USC 3696 for their predatory practices. Postal: Senate and House Signed letter to Sen McConnell, Sen Schumer, Rep Pelosi, Rep McCarthy urging support to ensure there is no disruption in U.S. Postal Service (USPS) during this critical time. The USPS is providing essential services to many Americans, including members of the military and veteran communities. Veterans: Department of Veterans Affairs Supported a letter urging Secretary Wilkie to hold for-profit colleges targeting student veterans accountable under 38 USC 3696 for their predatory practices.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Bills named: H.R. 6957 (116th)

District of Columbia DOC

District of Columbia Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency - Emergency Management United Spinal and DC CIL litigation against the District United Spinal, along with co-plaintiff DC Center for Independent Living, sent a letter to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser outlining several areas of transportation in which the DC government should improve its response to COVID-19 for people with disabilities. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff participate, ask questions of the District, in weekly COVID-19 calls with DC HSEMA and DC Office of Disability Rights on DCs COVID-19 response. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff provide comments to quarterly reports and additional documentation related to the emergency response including a United Spinal/DC CIL letter to DC Mayor Bowser urging for improved transportation service for people with disabilities. United Spinal advocacy and policy staff participated in a virtual town hall on DCs upcoming revised Olmstead community integration plan to support people with disabilities living in the community.

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Insurance INS

Social Security Administration and Veterans beneficiaries - COVID-19 Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Social Security Task Force United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations and are members and allies of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), wrote in response to the recently announced deadline for Social Security beneficiaries to file taxes or utilize the new web tool to claim economic impact payments for child dependents under the age of 17 or wait until 2021 to claim the payments. We are extremely concerned by the unexpected announcement of this very short deadline. Announcing a Wednesday deadline on a Monday afternoon is simply put, not enough time. Media reports that the deadline is noon on Wednesday (with the time zone unspecified) add to the urgency and the confusion. Social Security Administration - COVID-19 United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Social Security Task Force supported a letter the Task Forces Co-Chairs sent the Social Security Commissioner urging further response to the COVID19 pandemic. Thank you for all the work you and your staff are doing to adapt the Social Security Administrations activities and keep the public informed during these challenging times. We, the undersigned co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force, realize this is an enormous task, but one that is vital to the nearly 70 million Americans who receive Social Security benefits and the millions more who use SSAs other services. We appreciate your efforts to make automatic economic impact payments for recipients of SSI and Title II benefits. We encourage you to continue working with the Treasury Department so that SSI and Title II beneficiaries who use the IRS non-filer portal (for example, those with dependent children) can elect to have their stimulus payments sent to their Direct Express cards. Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Electronic Impact Payments United Spinal, along with numerous other organizations, and as a member of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) submitted a letter to the IRS detailing our concerns with how the non-filer tool has been functioning, how Electronic Impact Payments have been and will be issued, and reiterating our position from last month that we believe that there should not be a deadline for filing for dependent credits.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Education EDU

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Technology and Telecommunications Task Force Congressional Appropriations request for Funding the AT Act at $45 million United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Technology and Telecommunications Task Force along with numerous other disability organizations, sent a letter to Congressional appropriators in support for the inclusion of $45 million in the FY 2021 House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations (LHHS) bill for the Assistive Technology (AT) Act Programs. Funding provided through the AT Act supports programs that assure people with disabilities have access to and acquisition of the assistive technology devices and services they need to live, work, and attend school in their communities.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Social Security Administration (SSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)