We received word on Friday that a total of 41 members of the US House of Representatives signed on to the Congressional CRT letter being led by Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY). The collective group of signers shows solid bipartisan support. Thank you to NCART and AAHomecare for their efforts leading this advocacy work!
The letter urges the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to make the needed policy change to permanently stop applying Competitively Bid payment rates to "accessories" used with Complex Rehab Manual Wheelchairs. The final list of signers can be viewed here.
Our appreciation goes to Reps. Larson and Zeldin for their continued leadership in protecting access to CRT for people with disabilities and to their 39 colleagues. We'd also like to recognize and thank Ohio representatives who supported the letter including Rep. Bob Gibbs, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, Rep. Jim Jordan and OAMES member Miller's Rental & Sales for their advocacy efforts leading the outreach to Ohio Congressional offices.
The letter will now be delivered to CMS for action. We'll be following up with Congressional Committee staff and staff at CMS to continue the positive momentum toward the needed policy change. More updates will be provided as we move ahead.