The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) has primary responsibility to develop and coordinate RESNA's position on public policy and related activities. The committee plans for, coordinates, and recommends implementation strategies for RESNA's positions on public policy, pertinent regulations, and related activities.
RESNA is a professional organization made up of volunteers. If you have an interest in participating or working with the government affairs committee please contact execoffice@resna.org.
Chair: Rita Stanley
2023 Achievements
RESNA is a proud member of several coalitions, and also partners with other organizations to advance advocacy efforts. In 2023, progress was made in these areas:
- CMS published a landmark final national coverage determination (NCD) concluding that seat elevation systems in power wheelchairs fall within the benefit category of durable medical equipment (DME) and is therefore covered under the Medicare program.
- The National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) designated people with disabilities as a distinct "health disparities population," applicable across the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This added designation will open up additional grant funding opportunities for research into disability and technology.
Please see the 2023 Year End Review from the ITEM Coalition (Independence through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid), the CPR Coalition (Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation) and DRRC Coalition (Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition).
Current Priorities
Partner organizations
Help Protect Access to Complex Rehab Technology: Find Access2CRT's informationn on providing CRT and how to reach your representative by phone of email.
Protecting Complex Manual Wheelchairs: Find Access2CRT's information (summary/details, position papers, and letters of support) on protecting complex wheelchairs and how to reach your respresentative by phone or email.
NCART Federal Issues: Find information on high priority items and how to reach your federal representative by phone or email.
NCART State Issues: Find information on high priority items and how to reach your state representative by phone or email.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
This is an international treaty that outlines the obligations of ratifying countries to promote, protect, fulfill and ensure the rights of people with disabilities. President Obama signed the treaty on July 30, 2009, but it requires U.S. Senate ratification. A vote was held on December 4, 2012, but fell five votes short of the necessary 66 (2/3rds of the Senate) required.
Supporters had high hopes for passage during the next Congressional session. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee did hold hearings during November 2014, but it was not brought to a vote. As 2014 ended, so did the chance for ratification. Since then, it has not been brought up again in the US Congress. Over 140 countries have ratified the treaty.
The U.S. International Council on Disabilities is leading the advocacy campaign supporting the treaty. RESNA continues to work in coalition with this organization and supports ratification. Visit the campaign website to find out how you can help.