In 2022, the Reeve Foundation advanced important advocacy priorities due to the dedication and focus of our entire grassroots community, including our invaluable Reeve Regional Champions. Below, the Reeve Foundation would like to highlight a few of these accomplishments. Among them is reaching our 2022 goal of recruiting 10,000 Reeve online advocates nationwide. Thank you for helping us reach this ambitious goal. In 2023, we need to keep this momentum up. Below are some more highlights.

FY 2022 & FY 2023 Appropriations (Omnibus Bills)

Congress passed FY’ 22 (March 2022) and FY’ 23 (December 2022) funding bills in the same year after months of gridlock and several continuing resolutions. With strong advocacy and bipartisan support from across the aisle, this resulted in a $2 million increase for the National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) over Fiscal Year 2021 levels, bringing total program funding to $10.7 million for Fiscal Year 2023. The Reeve Foundation celebrates this win for our community, as the NPRC can continue to expand services and assist more individuals impacted by paralysis.

Other relevant provisions in the year-end Omnibus included:

• Enhancements to the ABLE Age Adjustment Act - updates the age of eligibility from the onset of disability prior to age 26 to age 46.
• Additional $450 million each year for extensions to Medicaid Money Follows the Person through 2027.
• HCBS Spousal Impoverishment Protections through 2027.
• Extension of Telehealth coverage for Medicare beneficiaries through 2024.

Across both fiscal years, there was a $4.5 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), bringing the total funding to $47.5 billion and a $4.5 million increase for the National Institute of Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), bringing the total funding to $119 million.

Air Travel

In 2022, we continued to build support for the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (ACAAA) and urged advocates to continue to share their experiences and difficulties traveling safely with Congress and the Department of Transportation (DOT). Some other key highlights include:

• The DOT’s publication of a Bill of Rights for Airline Passengers with Disabilities.
• In September, the Reeve Foundation co-sponsored the All Wheels Up Working Group Meeting, which focused on in-cabin wheelchair securement.
• Former Congressman Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) participated in his last Congressional hearing before his retirement, which focused on the air travel experience of passengers with disabilities, as a member of Congress.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

This past summer, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. This legislation did not include funding for Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS), but granted Medicare authority to negotiate the prices of certain prescription drugs and extended expiring health care subsidies for three years.

Access to Complex Rehab Technology (CRT)

The Foundation has long advocated for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to update the existing National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Power Seat Elevation and Standing Systems. On August 15, CMS opened a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for coverage of Power Seat Elevation Systems in power wheelchairs. Unfortunately, CMS also announced it would not be reviewing Medicare coverage for Power Standing Systems and would postpone its review.

In response to the request for public comment, over 3,500 advocates shared their unique stories with CMS to express their need for this critical technology. While there is much work that needs to be done, we anticipate a response from CMS in February 2023.

We are so grateful for your time and dedication this year. Without your efforts, we cannot continue to improve policies and increase funding to improve the lives of all those impacted by paralysis. Please continue to stay engaged and let us know how we can improve our education and outreach.

Please sign up to become an advocate or contact Gerard Arnum, our Grassroots Advocacy Manager, at [email protected] and learn more about our Regional Champions Program. Please don’t forget to register for our February 2023 Regional Champions Webinar.