Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Category: General
Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) have introduced House Bill H.R. 942 the “Ensuring Access To Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2013”. H.R. 942 appropriately distinguishes CRT products and makes other required changes to better address the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and medical conditions who require these specialized products and related services.
Congressman Crowley is a member of Democratic House Leadership, serving as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. He also is a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, the House committee with primary jurisdiction over the Medicare program. This new bill is a follow up to original legislation introduced by Congressman Crowley last April (HR 4378).
Congressman Sensenbrenner is a senior House Republican, serving since 1978, with a proven history of supporting legislation and activities for people with disabilities. He was an original co-sponsor of the American With Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 where he teamed up with then majority leader Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) in a bipartisan effort. In 2011, he and his wife Cheryl were awarded the Spirit of the ADA Award given by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Cheryl Sensenbrenner also has a long record of advocacy leadership, including serving both as a Board member and as past Board Chair for AAPD.
The Separate Benefit Category Steering Committee, of which RESNA is a member along with NCART and NRRTS, will now work to build on the progress made last year. Congressional activities resulted in strong bipartisan support from 39 House Members, which included 13 members from the key House Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce Committees. The Republican and Democrat Co-Chairs of the House Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus were part of this group.
For more information, and to contact your representative to support the bill, please click here to visit the campaign website.
Vist RESNA's Government Affairs webpage to stay up-to-date on this and other important initiatives.