From The Roots

Getting into it at the grassroots

The Roll on Capitol Hill

Advocacy update

The policy staff at United Spinal Association is so passionate about June’s first-ever "Roll On Capitol Hill" that the in-house advocates are finishing each other’s sentences. “We’re hoping to achieve a presence beyond us lobbyists here in D.C.,” says Joseph Isaacs, … [Read more...]

United Spinal Continues to Push for Policy Change

We are still working on this one.

United Spinal recently met with Marilyn Tavenner, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to discuss the importance of people with disabilities having access to the proper mobility devices and equipment that will enable them to live the lives they … [Read more...]

Vote Yes by Friday, February 3rd for Accessible Taxis in Philadelphia

Want to help make taxis wheelchair-accessible to residents of, and visitors to, the “City of Brotherly Love”—Philadelphia? Recently, the Philadelphia Parking Authority has announced that it is considering new regulations which will require 300 of the city’s taxis to be … [Read more...]

A True Taxi Tale

A visitor has posted their grassroots issue.

On June 19, 2007, my spouse and I boarded an Air Canada flight at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport for what we thought was a day trip to Montreal. I’m a quadriplegic and my injury is at the sixth cervical vertebrae. The purpose of this trip was my delivery of a … [Read more...]

Webinar to Address Capitol Hill Attacks on Medicaid

It's time to take action on an issue.

Join United Spinal Association's Public Policy Staff for a Free Webinar to Address Attacks on Medicaid Services and Supports from Capitol Hill.   Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012 Time: 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM EST Space is limited. Reserve your webinar seat now at: … [Read more...]

Join the Fight to Stop Oklahoma Medicaid from Cutting Catheters

Advocacy update

Time is running out to fight back against Oklahoma Medicaid, which has proposed to drastically cut the amount of hydrophilic catheters and closed system catheter kits its recipients can obtain per month. Currently, Oklahoma Medicaid recipients are eligible to get up to 150 … [Read more...]

Oklahoma Medicaid Reducing Coverage of Catheters

It's time to take action on an issue.

Please be aware, Oklahoma Medicaid will soon be changing their restrictions on urological supplies. Currently recipients are able to receive up to 150 closed system catheter kits or hydrophilic catheters and kits per month.  Soon, all who receive these products will be … [Read more...]

Deal Reached to Expand Accessible Taxi Service in New York City

Great! We won this one.

United Spinal Association's 15-year advocacy campaign to bring more accessible taxis to the streets of New York City has finally paid off. Governor Cuomo and lawmakers reached a last-minute deal on December 20 to approve a bill that allows livery cabs to pick up street hails … [Read more...]

Bloomberg’s Outer-Borough Taxi Bill Neglects Rights of Wheelchair Users

Advocacy update

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is at it again, angering disability advocates and wheelchair users across the City––this time with his proposed outer-borough taxi bill that would create up to 30,000 permits for livery cars to pick up street hails outside of … [Read more...]

United Spinal Opposes CMS Demonstration Project for Pre-Approval of Power Mobility Devices

A post from NSCIA/United Spinal staff.

On November 15th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a widespread, three-year demonstration project that would, effective January 2012, require “prior authorization” for approval of power mobility devices for Medicare beneficiaries in seven states … [Read more...]