The Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) was unveiled October 29th by Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). It has a win for the disability community: health insurance purchased through the proposed insurance exchange must cover wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment.
The House bill mandates important coverage for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS). DMEPOS covers power wheelchairs and other equipment. It also mandates coverage of rehabilitation and habilitation services – which are important for people who have had traumatic injuries or have chronic conditions or some permanent disabilities.
United Spinal Association and the National Spinal Cord Injury Association advocated long and hard for inclusion of these important provisions. The next battle will to be to make sure that these coverages stay in a final health care reform bill that is worked out between the House and Senate.
Andrew Morris, MPH
Director of Legislation,
Spinal Cord Advocates
