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Link to the 2010 Disability Summit. A free event in Philadelphia Pa. Image of a young girl signing I love you, a woman pushing a wheelchair up a ramp, and hands reading braille.

PECOS Implementation Delay is Good News

On Wednesday CMS (Medicare) announced that they will be delaying the implementation of Phase 2 of Medicare’s Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) program until January 3, 2011.
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Why Not Buy Durable Medical Equipment On-Line?

With the explosion of online buying opportunities why shouldn’t I get the best deal and purchase my equipment and supplies on line? Generally speaking, the lower the price, the fewer the services that are available. The caution is buyer beware.
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Don’t Let Governor Paterson Appeal Olmstead Decision

People with disabilities have won an important victory in the Federal District Court, Eastern District of New York, but it may be in danger.

At The Roots
  • Take action! Email governor Paterson on this issue: Email the Governor using link http://161.11.121.121/govemail
    Tell him not to appeal the decision in Disability Advocates v. Paterson so that people with disabilities can reside in the community and not institutions.
  • Benefits people with physical and mental disabilities who need support services to reside in the community.

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What is the 1999 Olmstead Decision?

The Court ordered New York to provide integrated housing and services to 4,300 people with mental illness who are unnecessarily segregated in large institutions known as “adult homes.”
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New Medicare Program Threatens Power Wheelchair Choice

Unless Congress acts, people on Medicare who need wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment will soon have a harder time getting the equipment they need.
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At The Roots
  • New Medicare program threatens ability to freely choose where to get your power wheel chair
  • You may be forced to go to a supplier that is far away from where you live and may not have the same choices of power wheel chairs that you now have
  • Congressional action is needed if the program is to be changed
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House Health Bill – a Win for Wheelchair Coverage

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.
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Medical Device Tax May Be Softened But Not Whacked

In an effort to help pay for health care reform, the Senate Finance Committee included a $40 billion tax on medical devices that manufacturers would have to pay to the federal government over 10 years.
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At The Roots
  • Any tax on wheelchairs, prosthetics and durable medical equipment will increase the cost to the end-user and make it harder for people with disabilities to get what they need.
  • The tax would greatly decrease the medical equipment industry's ability to research and develop new devices.
  • Senate Finance Committee wants a 40 billion dollar tax on medical devices to help pay for health care reform.
  • Congress may lower the tax hit to 15 to 20 million dollars.
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One Hand Giveth While The Other Hand Taketh

Like a skilled pickpocket’s distraction, government offers independence with one hand while the other hand robs you of it.
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At The Roots
  • People need the means by which to practice independence and inclusion.
  • Give and take legislation doesn't work.

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Denied A Wheelchair
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Denied A Wheelchair?

Like many Americans who are wheelchair users you may likely be faced with the fact that at some time you will be denied a wheelchair by Medicare, or maybe you already have been.
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At The Roots
  • Being part of the community may not be an option for Medicare wheelchair users.
  • Medicare is creating "housebound" Americans.

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DENIED by Mark C. Sullivan

Back in the spotlight: in the home restriction
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Will Health Care Reform Cover Wheelchairs and other Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, and Supplies?

People with disabilities depend on wheelchairs and other DMEPOS. That’s why we have worked tirelessly to make sure that coverage of DMEPOS will be required of all health insurance policies offered through the insurance exchange contemplated by health care reform bills.
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At The Roots
  • DMEPOS stands for "Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies".
  • Congressional committees do not agree on coverage of DMEPOS.
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