The Centers for Disease Control has announced that it will not move forward with consolidation of funding of disability programs through the National Centers on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Read more.

Extend the Medicare Therapy Caps
We need you to tell Congress to extend the Medicare therapy cap exceptions through 2012. Take Action!

Lifetime Requirement to the Durable Medical Equipment Definition
The Reeve Foundation joined with the disability community in sending a letter to CMS encouraging the agency to reconsider its proposal to change the way durable medical equipment is defined because the proposed change could restrict access to specialized equipment for people living with spinal cord injury and paralysis. Download the letter (PDF) and view the list of sponsoring organizations.

Help protect health care for people living with paralysis
The Reeve Foundation Reeve Foundation is extremely concerned that the proposed cuts to the Medicaid program will jeopardize the health, independence and quality of life of people living with spinal cord injury and paralysis. Tell Congress to oppose any cuts to Medicaid.

Competitive Bidding under Medicare
The Reeve Foundation has joined a number of patient advocacy and consumer groups in support of bipartisan legislation that would repeal the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program. Read the press release (PDF).

Read more about the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program.

Update: DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program - Round 2 Delayed

To make Congress aware of certain issues, the Reeve Foundation will join with other organizations in signing and circulating letters of support to explain critical issues. Below is the current issues the Foundation is engaged in.
Find out more.

We offer some basic guidance on how to effectively use letter writing, phone calls, emails, faxes, face-to-face meetings and social media to develop strong relationships and influence your senators or representatives. Download the entire toolkit (PDF) or use the links below.

• Introduction to Advocacy
• Communicating with Policymakers
• Raising Public Awareness
• Fact Sheets
• Advocate Profiles
• Contact the media in your town

• Sign up for a free Advocacy e-newsletter
  
• Other organizations we are working with.

If you have been negatively impacted by the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program, we encourage you to share your story. With your help, we can work together to ensure that people living with spinal cord injuries and paralysis have access to the quality care and equipment they deserve.
Share your story.

You don't need to be a scientist, economist, or paid professional lobbyist to be an effective advocate.
Find out why you should get involved.

The Reeve Foundation's advocacy priorities are focused around these core set of issues:

• Accelerating Research
• Providing Critical Information and Support to the Community
• Ensuring Access to Health Care Services

• Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS)
  While the future of the CLASS program remains uncertain, The Reeve Foundation remains committed to ensuring that individuals living with disabilities have access to the long-term services and supports that they need to remain independent.
• Outpatient Therapy Caps
  If Congress does not act before December 31st, outpatient therapy caps under Medicare will be enforced. These caps would impact access to medically necessary therapy services for individuals living with spinal cord injury and paralysis.
• Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program
  The competitive bidding program under Medicare will result in fewer suppliers for individuals living with spinal cord injury and paralysis to choose from for both purchase and repair of power wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment.
• Home and Community Based Services
  Health reform included several provisions that will make it easier for people living with spinal cord injury and paralysis to receive services at home, rather than being forced to receive needed services in an institutional setting.
• Essential Benefits under Health Reform
  Under health reform, most insurance plans are required to cover a set of "essential benefits" - including services and devices that are important for people living with spinal cord injury and paralysis.
• Medicare Two-Year Waiting Period
  Under current law, people living with disabilities must first receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months before they are eligible for Medicare benefits.