NM's wheelchair users breathe easier
This week's congressional veto override helps those Medicare recipients who use wheelchairs
After more than two years of congressional lobbying by many healthcare groups, people will continue to be able to have access to power wheelchairs through Medicare, the government health care program for people over 65 and for those under 65 with disabilities .
Members of the national ALS Association sent out an e-mail Wednesday celebrating Congress' vote this week to override President Bush's veto of Medicare legislation that would have excluded high-end power wheelchairs from Medicare's competitive bidding program. This victory means that people with ALS and other diseases and disorders don't have to worry that competitive bidding will limit the types of chairs available to them or that it will reduce access to needed services and suppliers.
Key provisions of the bill enacted into the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act include:
- Access to power Wheelchairs
- Improved Medicare prescription drug coverage
- Additional coverage for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology services
- Improved access to the Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
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