ARCIL, Inc. - ISSUE ALERT

July 7, 2006

 

 

Message from United Spinal

MEDICARE RECIPIENTS:

Do You Have the Wheelchair You Need? If Not, We Need to Know

Outdated policies prevent many Medicare recipients from getting the wheelchair they need to live independent and productive lives. Currently, Medicare will only pay for a wheelchair if you need it for use in your home. If you can function at home with a manual chair, but need a power chair to go to work, your doctor, or the local grocery store, Medicare will only pay for a manual chair.

United Spinal is embarking on a major legislative campaign to ensure that every Medicare recipient with a disability has access to the "Right Wheelchair."

If you don't have the right wheelchair because Medicare refuses to pay for it, we need to hear from you. Personal stories from members affected by this disastrous rule are the most powerful tool we have to make Congress understand why legislation is urgently needed.

This policy affects you if:

     • You are a Medicare recipient, AND

     • Medicare is not providing you with the type of wheelchair you need to fully access your community.

If this describes you, please contact Dan Anderson, legislative analyst, Public Policy, and help us convince Congress that it's time to fix this irrational policy. Contact Dan at 1-800-404-2898, extension 294, or e-mail danderson@unitedspinal.org

ARCIL urges you to get information on any organization that asks for your help in efforts to pass or defeat legislation.  Always protect personal information such as your Social Security number.

 

John Meinkowsky, Policy Advocate
ARCIL, Inc.
825 East Rundberg Lane, Suite A-1
Austin, TX 78751
512 832-6349
Fax 512 832-1869
johnm@arcil.com