Senate Needs to Fix Medicare’s “In the Home� Restriction on Mobility Devices

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TAKE ACTION NOWThe following issues need your immediate support

Senate Needs to Fix Medicare’s “In the Home†Restriction on Mobility Devices Senators Bingaman (D-NM) and Santorum (R-PA) are preparing to introduce legislation this week that would fix Medicare’s “in the home†restriction on mobility devices. Ask your senator to support this bill as an original co-sponsor. Currently, Medicare will only cover mobility devices if beneficiaries need them for use inside their homes. In other words, if a beneficiary is able to do without a wheelchair or scooter inside, but needs such a device to go to work, the grocery store, their place of worship, the pharmacy, or their physician’s office, Medicare will NOT pay for it.

The “in the home†rule severely restricts the independence and wellbeing of people with disabilities. Please call your senators toll-free via the capitol switchboard at 1-877-224-0041. Ask your senators to be original co-sponsors of the Medicare “in the home†legislation being introduced by Senators Bingaman and Santorum. Let them know that this Medicare restriction needs to be fixed, so people with disabilities can have access to mobility devices that will help them live healthy and independent lives — both inside and outside of their homes!

For more information on this issue, please see the Society's position statement.

MS Centers of Excellence Need Secure FundingFunding is in jeopardy for valuable MS research programs at the two Department of Veterans Affairs’ Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence. Sen. Akaka (D-HI) introduced legislation (S. 1537) to have Congress formally establish the MS Centers of Excellence and effectively protect its funding. The Public Policy Office is contacting senators on Capitol Hill to support this legislation. Thanks to your hard work, this bill is gaining support and momentum in the Senate. Ask your senator today to co-sponsor S. 1537.

Since 2003, the MS Centers of Excellence have provided leadership in research, education, and clinical care that benefits all Americans impacted by MS. The MS Centers of Excellence support broad research into the causes of MS, the treatment of MS, effective education strategies for MS patients and providers, and the needs of MS patients and the effectiveness of the care delivery system.

This bill recently was integrated into a larger piece of legislation — S. 2694, the Veterans’ Choice of Representation and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2006. It has successfully passed through the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and could be considered by the full Senate as early as the end of June. The MS Action Alert Network already has been urged to contact their senator on this important issue. Take action now — ask your senator to co-sponsor S. 1537!

What Can YOU Do to Help? JOIN THE MS ACTION ALERT NETWORK!

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