Reported lobbying issue
Health Issues: United Spinal continues to advocate for H.R. 4206, the CONNECT for Health Act. United Spinal continues to advocate about the concerns we have about proposals for major restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services programs. We want to make sure that critical programs, services, and funding for the disability and aging communities, such as the Centers for Independent Living, Home and Community-Based Services and the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) are not negatively impacted. United Spinal continues to support timely wheelchair repairs legislation that is currently being drafted in the Senate. United Spinal continues to support S.247 and H.R.1703, Improving access to lightweight carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs, which will allow individuals with mobility challenges to choose the wheelchair that is best suited for their medical, functional, and lifestyle needs and preferences, without increasing costs to the Medicare program. United Spinal participated in and invited members of Congress and their staffs to participate in the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART), the International Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (iNRRTS), and U.S. Rehab sponsored Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Product Expo in Washington, D.C. on May 13, 2026. This event was designed to educate Members of Congress about CRT equipment and the individuals who rely on it every day to live safely and independently. We advocated on three issues with members of Congress and their staff about Complex Rehab Technology equipment and services, specifically: 1.Opening the Power Standing Coverage Determination process with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 2.Passage of H.R. 1703 / S. 247 - the Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2005, 3.Passage H. R. 9364, eliminate Prior Authorization for Wheelchair Repairs for Medicare Advantage United Spinal, along with other members of the. Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy to express our serious concern regarding the significant delay in the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the National Paralysis Resource Center, which is currently operated by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation under a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL). United Spinal submitted comments to the Access Boards development of standards for Universal Changing Stations, Docket Number: ATBCB-2026-0001, RIN Number: 3014-AA50. In our comments, we thanked Senator Maggie Hassan for her leadership in establishing the requirement for Universal Changing Stations in the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024. The comments included the following summary: The United Spinal Associations recommendation to use existing industry standards is consistent with the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA) which encourages Agencies to use and participate in the development voluntary consensus standards. The Board is a valued member of the ICC A117.1 Standards development team and has considerable influence over the process and the ultimate requirements. It would be unfortunate if the Board were not to exploit this work by using it to advance its own mission. Collaboration of this type maximizes the Boards resources and encourages better understanding of the needs of all parties. As follow-up to our Virtual Advocacy Day held in March, United Spinal continued to advocate with members of Congress and or their staff on the following issues: Insert language into the FY27 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bills committee report providing $2.5 million to fund four additional SCI Model System Suggested programmatic language: The inclusion of ostomy, urological and tracheostomy supplies in the Medicare competitive bidding program may conflict with the Administrations goals to strengthen American manufacturing, secure our medical supply chains from foreign adversaries, and protect the health and well-being of our nations most vulnerable citizens. Competitive bidding threatens to transfer this market to foreign competitors who have no commitment to American workers, American communities or American patients. And or: Suggested appropriations report language: Competitive Bidding for Ostomy, Tracheostomy, and Urological Supplies - The Committee is concerned about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services decision to include ostomy, tracheostomy, and urological prosthetic supplies in the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). These prosthetic devices have never been included in the program. The Committee is concerned that subjecting these prosthetic devices to competitive bidding without sufficient analysis could disrupt patient access, compromise clinician decision-making, harm domestic manufacturing, and increase Medicare costs. Accordingly, the Committee directs CMS to delay the implementation of competitive bidding for ostomy, tracheostomy, and urological supplies until the Administrator submits a report to the Committees on Appropriations, providing: (1) an assessment of the prospective downstream costs to the Medicare Part A program for adverse health events due to patients seeing limited or no access to the supplies of their choice; and (2) an evaluation of the potential impact on the US domestic supply chain, including manufacturing and distribution capacity and service industries associated with patient management if no or a limited number of US businesses are selected for the CBP. The Committee directs CMS to collect citable data from patient, clinician and manufacturer stakeholders. The Committee directs CMS to maintain current payment methodologies for these prosthetic devices until the Committee is briefed by CMS on all findings. United Spinals annual advocacy event, Roll on Capitol Hill, was held on June 24th. Advocates met with members of Congress and of their staff seeking action on four issues: Support Rep. Ayanna Pressleys (D-MA) bill, H. R. 9364, the FAST Repairs for Wheelchairs Act, which would prohibit Medicare Advantage plans from requiring prior authorization for wheelchair repairs. Carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs are lighter, stronger and more responsive than standard wheelchairs chairs. But because of a policy change, Medicare beneficiaries have to pay the full cost out of pocket. The Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 1703/S. 247) would explicitly require Medicare to create new codes to allow suppliers to bill consumers for just the cost of the upgrade to an ultralight manual wheelchair. This bill is sponsored in the House by Reps. John Joyce (R-PA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Kim Schrier (D-WA), and in the Senate by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). Support forthcoming legislation that will exclude ostomy and urological supplies from Medicares durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program for a period of five years while requiring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to undertake a more comprehensive and clinically informed review of the impact that competitive bidding policies could have on beneficiary access, product choice, and patient outcomes. And other related provisions. urging Members of Congress to protect and strengthen home and community based services (HCBS), which already operates within a fragile system challenged by workforce shortages, long waiting lists, and inadequate funding. Millions of older adults and people with disabilities rely on HCBS to live independently in their homes and communities, and demand for these services will continue to grow as the population ages. Further cuts or restrictions would worsen existing barriers, increase the risk of institutionalization, and leave many without the support they need. Investing in and preserving HCBS is essential to ensure current and future generations can access quality care at home. United Spinal supported, S. Res. 685, sponsored by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) designating April 22, 2026, as National Assistive Technology Awareness Day.
Medicare/Medicaid: United Spinal with other stakeholders discussed with members of Congress introducing legislation to delay the implementation of competitive bidding for ostomy and urological supplies under the Medicare program. United Spinal, along with other members of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR), submitted comments to the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to Fiscal Year 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System (IRF PPS) Proposed Rule (proposed rule), (CMS-1845-P). The comments read in part, Our comments focus on key provisions of the proposed rule-including proposed updates impacting IRF coverage and documentation, proposed changes to the IRF Quality Reporting Program, proposed updates to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program, and responses to the various requests for information included in the proposed rule-with the goal of ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries continue to have access to the full range of medically necessary rehabilitation services, including those provided in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. United Spinal, along with other members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, wrote to the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting a meeting to discuss the status of the long-pending National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for standing systems in Group 3 power wheelchairs. The letter read in part, We strongly urge CMS to proceed expeditiously with opening this NCA for public comment without further delay. As the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) approaches on July 26th, we believe there is no better way to celebrate the successes of this landmark law for people with disabilities over the past three and a half decades than for CMS to open this critically important NCA to address the mobility needs of individuals with disabilities. United Spinal, along with numerous other organizations, signed onto comments from the Not Dead Yet, a grassroots disability rights organization that opposes assisted suicide and Euthanasia. The comments were in response to a notice: Medicare Program; FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements The comments in part read, appreciates the opportunity to respond to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesNot Dead Yet supports CMS intent to improve transparency and institute data guardrails for hospice care. This will help in the gathering of important data on U.S. patients as the population ages, potentially increasing the demand for hospice options. Not Dead Yets comments, since we are not hospice care providers, primarily introduce additional issues related to assisted suicide and palliative care. United Spinal, along with numerous other members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the Congressional Vision Caucus to bring to their attention a Medicare regulation-the Medicare Low Vision Aid Exclusion at 42 C.F.R. 411.15(b)-that significantly limits beneficiary access to technologies and devices essential to the treatment of low vision. The letter read in part, We respectfully request your support in encouraging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to rescind that outdated and overly broad regulation. Specifically, we request that you send a bipartisan Congressional sign-on letter to CMS, as well as a Dear Colleague letter to garner co-signers supporting this effort. United Spinal continues to oppose the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule (CMS-1828-P) to expand and redesign the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Competitive Bidding Program which will harm people who depend upon these supplies to live and will increase healthcare costs. It may conflict with the Presidents directives on deregulation, trade, and domestic industrial strength. United Spinal continues advocating for Medicare coverage of power wheelchairs standing systems. United Spinal supports legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), H. R. 9364, the FAST Repairs for Wheelchairs Act, that would eliminate prior authorization requirements for Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) wheelchair maintenance and repairs under the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, aligning MA with traditional Medicare, which generally does not impose these barriers. United Spinal policy staff met with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services officials to advocate against implementing the agencys final rule about competitively bidding urological and ostomy supplies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making some important changes in the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) so that we can protect the Medicare Trust Funds and lower copays for beneficiaries. For more details, refer to the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1828-F) displayed in the Federal Register on November 28, 2025. United Spinal, as a member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition met with officials from the Office of Management and Budget to advocate against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule about competitively bidding urological and ostomy supplies. United Spinal, as a member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, wrote the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) in strong opposition to the proposed revisions to the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) DL33789, which would restrict Medicare coverage for certain power mobility devices, specifically, Group 2 standard power wheelchairs with seat elevation systems but without complex rehabilitative technology (CRT) capability. If finalized, this restriction in access to these critical devices would negatively impact Medicare beneficiaries who rely on such features to reach, transfer, and perform or participate in Mobility Related Activities of Daily Living (MRADLs) in their homes, which is the standard for coverage under the power wheelchair and seat elevation National Coverage Determination. United Spinal, along with other members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, submitted comments to the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) on the proposed Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Wheelchair Options/Accessories (DL33792). The ITEM Coalition strongly opposes the proposed determination that power seat elevation systems used with standard, non-complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) power wheelchairs are not reasonable and necessary, and urge the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) to reconsider and withdraw this proposed LCD as soon as possible. For the reasons outlined below, if finalized, this change in policy would significantly restrict access to a critical functional mobility technology for Medicare beneficiaries who rely on power wheelchairs to perform mobility-related activities of daily living (MRADLs) within the home, which is the standard for coverage under the power wheelchair and seat elevation National Coverage Determinations. United Spinal, as a member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, wrote to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reiterate significant concerns with the Agencys decision to include ostomy and urological supplies in the next round of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). Combined with the implementation of a national Remote Item Delivery (RID) program for distributing these items to Medicare beneficiaries, this policy represents a fundamental shift away from patient-centered, clinically appropriate care for individuals with disabilities and complex medical needs. United Spinal signed onto a letter, along with 358 members of the Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC), the Health and Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Taskforces of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), and allied organizations to urge the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of the Congress to exclude any funding cuts or harmful changes to Medicaid from any budget reconciliation or other legislation. The letter read in part, Medicaid is our communities lifeline, and that lifeline just suffered the largest cut in funding since its inception. We cannot afford any further cuts, and we urge Congress to prioritize reinvesting in Medicaid. United Spinal, along with other members of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation, wrote in strong support for H.R. 8375, the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act to its bipartisan sponsors. Medicare Advantage (MA) increasingly serves Medicare beneficiaries with complex, disabling conditions who depend on timely access in medical rehabilitation services of all kinds, including inpatient rehabilitation. However, persistent utilization management barriers-including prior authorization delays, inappropriate denials, and disruptions in care-continue to impede access to medically necessary rehabilitation services and undermine patient outcomes. United Spinal, along with other members of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation, wrote in strong support for S. 4384, the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act toots bipartisan sponsors. Medicare Advantage (MA) increasingly serves Medicare beneficiaries with complex, disabling conditions who depend on timely access in medical rehabilitation services of all kinds, including inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) care, to achieve optimal recovery and maintain independence. However, persistent utilization management barriers-including prior authorization delays, inappropriate denials, and disruptions in care-continue to impede access to medically necessary rehabilitation services and undermine patient outcomes.
Transportation: United Spinals SecureRide Coalition advocated for the wheelchair securement research study provision in H. R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Safety Modernization Act. United Spinals SecureRide Coalition met with Department of Transportation officials to advocate for safe and independent wheelchair securement across all modes of transportation. United Spinal, along with other disability advocates from organizations and communities across the United States who are committed to advancing mobility, independence, and full community participation for people with disabilities, wrote to the leadership of the Federal Transit Administration to support the continued modernization of accessible transportation and ADA paratransit services. The letter read in part, Accessible transportation remains one of the most important gateways to opportunity-enabling individuals to travel to employment, education, healthcare, and civic life. United Spinal discussed provisions of H.R.8128, the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act, with congressional staff. United Spinal, through our SecureRide Coalition discussed disability accessibility issues with the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association ("AVIA") in reference to its statement for the record regarding the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety hearing, "The Need for Speed: How Technological Advances are Driving Transportation Innovation. United Spinal advocated for accessibility provisions to be included in H. R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act. United Spinal advocated for the development of an autonomous wheelchair securement system as a co-lead in our SecureRide Coalition with the Department of Transportation. United Spinal, as a co-lead of our SecureRide Coalition submitted an application to participate in the Department of Transportations SecureRide Coalition's submission Roadway Safety Innovation Expo. United Spinal Associations SecureRide Coalition wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and it Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee to support the automated wheelchair securement research provision included in the amendment in the nature of a substitute for H. R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, filed in advance of the full committee markup on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (ET) as the motor vehicle safety title of the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization measure. The measure addresses a major challenge to fulfilling wheelchair users safe and independent transportation needs. United Spinal, along with numerous other stakeholders wrote to the bipartisan leadership and membership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to voice our support for the progress made on the SELF DRIVE Act, which was introduced by Representative Bob Latta. The letter read in part, the SELF DRIVE Act would help ensure that millions of Americans are able to access the benefits of autonomous vehicles (A Vs), which provide safer roads, greater supply chain resilience, create new economic and enhanced accessibility opportunities. United Spinal submitted comments to the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration supporting Zooxs petition for a temporary exemption from various requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for an automated driving system (ADS) - equipped vehicle, Docket No. NHTSA-2025-0523. The comments read in part, We recognize that achieving these benefits requires careful attention to accessibility standards, inclusive design, and equal access to purpose-built wheelchair accessible autonomous vehicle deployment. With proper planning and regulation, Zoox can expand opportunities for independence, employment, healthcare access, and civic and social engagement, thereby improving the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility challenges. We respectfully request that you support Zooxs petition, Docket No. NHTSA-2025-0523, to enable the safe, federally supervised commercial operation of its all-electric autonomous vehicles. United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force signed onto a letter responding to the request for public comments on the Zoox application for a temporary exemption from various requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for an automated driving system (ADS) - equipped vehicle, NHTSA-2025-0523-0003. The Comments strongly urged, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to compel Zoox to operate a vehicle that is fully accessible for people with disabilities, consistent with the public interest. Given NHTSAs safety mandate and mission, it is essential to integrate accessibility into exemption approvals because it is inextricably linked to the safety of people with disabilities. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, wrote to the leadership of the Federal Transit Administration leadership about the need for modernizing paratransit services. The letter read in part, In particular, we encourage the FTA to continue advancing regulatory guidance and policy interpretations that support modernization of paratransit services and allow transit agencies to incorporate new mobility solutions-including on-demand service models and partnerships with ride share and TNC providers-into the ADA paratransit ecosystem. Where existing regulatory flexibilities exist, additional clarity and encouragement from the FTA could help agencies confidently expand these models in ways that enhance service for rider. United Spinal advocated for its SecureRide Coalition wheelchair securement standard efforts with Administration for Community Living officials. United Spinal advocated for its SecureRide Coalition wheelchair securement standard efforts with Access Board officials. United Spinal advocated for its SecureRide Coalition wheelchair securement standard efforts with National Council on Disability officials. United Spinal continues to advocate for H.R. 4116, the Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA) Paratransit one stop and data collection pilot program. The bill would establish an extra stop per trip program for passengers using paratransit serves and enhance data collection for paratransit programs to increase accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities.
Government Issues: United Spinal supported the comments submitted to the Administrator of the Social Security Administration by the Co-Chairs of the Social Security Task Force (SSTF) of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) in response to a request for comments, Agency Information Collection: Comment Request (Docket No: SSA-2026-0331). The comments thanked the Administrator for the meaningful changes that the agency has made to the SAP Policy since March 2025, but further discussed that, SSAs Hybrid Process Fails to Adequately Serve the Needs of the American Public and SSA underestimates the average wait time in field office and teleserve centers. Also urged, SSA to reconsider this process and instead suggest a less burdensome process for the majority of beneficiaries and representative payees who are unable to successfully navigate the proposed SAP process.
Aviation/Airlines/Airports: United Spinal supports legislation that Rep. Dina Titus and Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced, H.R. 9373/S. 4829, the Air Carrier Access Amendment Act (ACAAA) of 2026. As a member of the ACAA Working Group, United Spinal signed onto a letter to the Department of Transportations Secretary, Sean Duffy, requesting updates on the status of DOTs implementation of the disability-related provisions of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (P.L. 118-63) and urging DOT to meet the requirements specified by Congress. The letter emphasizes the importance of the disability-related provisions. This includes the reauthorization of the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee; data on mishandled wheelchairs; public reports; rulemaking on seating accommodations; the service animal travel pilot program; minimum technology accessibility standards; aisle chair standards; and rulemaking on in-flight entertainment. The letter also urges DOT to uphold the Wheelchair User Rule's improved training requirements effective June 17, 2026. United Spinal met with members of Congress to discuss the implementation of accessibility provisions in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
Budget/Appropriations: On behalf of the disability and rehabilitation research community, United Spinal, along with numerous other organizations, wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies of the respective Committees on Appropriations to urge funding the National Institute on Disability,Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at $150 million in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The letter read in part that, We believe that a $150 million investment in NIDILRR is a long-overdue and necessary increase to strengthen the nations disability and rehabilitation research infrastructure and advance outcomes for people with disabilities. On behalf of the disability and rehabilitation research community, United Spinal, along with numerous other organizations, wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies of the respective Committees on Appropriations to provide full funding for medical rehabilitation and disability-related research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The letter read in part, In particular, we are requesting continued and robust funding for the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) within the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National. Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), in the FY 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. United Spinal, along with numerous other organizations, signed onto a letter submitted to the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Subcommittees on Defense of the respective Committees on Appropriations seeking funding for essential research. The letter read in part, As you begin work on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Defense Appropriations Act, we thank you for your continued support of the critical and highly successful Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense (DoD). The CDMRP plays a vital role in advancing research that protects the health and readiness of our Armed Forces, military families, and veterans, while also benefiting civilian populations. For FY 2027, we urge you to increase funding for these critical programs above FY 2024 levels by at least five percent plus inflation, to approximately $1.62 billion. This investment is essential to ensure our nation is prepared to meet current and future public health-related threats and challenges to our national security. An increase in funding is particularly vital to mitigate the impact of inflation on the purchasing power of individual CDMRP programs, as well as the 57 percent reduction in spending for these programs resulting from the enactment of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (Public Law 119-4). United Spinal continues to advocate with members of Congress for increased federal funding for the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems as well as the Burn Model Systems and the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Increased funding at all three Model Systems, including the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center is needed to translate data, research, and clinical knowledge into resources to benefit the SCI, TBI and burn injury communities. United Spinal continues advocating for restoring federal appropriations for the Department of Defenses Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP). United Spinal advocates for an additional $2.5 million for the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems program at the Administration for Community Living.
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties: As a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities, United Spinal strongly condemned a memo written by the Office of Legal Counsel that attacks the integration mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Veterans: United Spinal as a member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition supported S. 3988, the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices (STAND) Act and earlier in the year we supported the House version, H.R. 6835. This bipartisan legislation would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to offer annual preventative health evaluations to veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders and increase access to state-of-the-art assistive mobility technologies, such as Exoskeletal systems and other neuromodulation technologies, which allow paralyzed veterans the ability to improve their function and even walk again.
Telecommunications: United Spinal, along with many other members and allies of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Rights and Technology Task Forces submitted comments express our strong opposition to the Interim Final Rule (IFR) published by the Department of Justice (Department) extending the compliance dates for the 2024 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Applications of Recipients of Departmental Financial Assistance Final Rule (2024 Final Rule) (RIN 1190-AA82). The comments read in part, Delaying the compliance dates by a full year on the eve of the compliance date for large public entities without first seeking public comment is arbitrary and capricious because: (1) the delay is based on information that was already fully considered in the Departments 2024 Final Rule, (2) the delay is based on factual errors and unfounded assumptions, (3) the Interim Final Rule fails to consider the significant harms to people with disabilities, and (4) the Interim Final Rules economic analysis contains significant omissions. United Spinal wrote to the Commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission to request that the Commission not only maintain Lifeline support for households which currently have voice only service, in addition, we also requested that the FCC market the availability of this support opportunity to other households that could benefit from it. This includes those who have voice only service. These comments were in response to the following dockets, Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Bridging the Digital Divide for Low Income Consumers; Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support; Affordable Connectivity Program; Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 17-287, 09-197, 21-450, 20-445, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (February 18, 2026). United Spinal, along with a broad coalition of disability rights organizations, expressed unequivocal opposition to the Department of Justices Interim Final Rule extending the compliance deadline for the Title II digital accessibility rule as unacceptable and undermining timely access to digital services for people with disabilities in a public statement that may be reviewed at: https://www.aapd.com/leading-disability-organizations-oppose-extending-title-ii-deadline/
