Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP)

• ATAP Submits Comments on NIDRR's Long-Term Plan »»

  Comments Submitted to the National Institute on Disability Research and Rehabilitation (NIDRR) - Regarding the Research Priorities for NIDRR's Long Range Plan (2009 - 2014)"

• NIDRR: Disability Business and Technical Assistance Centers - March 2006 (DOC 29696 bytes)
• OSERS - Proposed Priorities AT Reutilization - May 2006 (DOC 603648 bytes)
• US Department of Education (DOE) -- IDEA- Comments on proposed regulations Part B of IDEA of 2004 - February 2005 (DOC 608256 bytes) and July 2005 (DOC 596992 bytes)

• Update on Competitive Bidding - Contract Suppliers Announced »»

  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to release information on the new Competitive Bidding for Medicare Equipment and Supplies...The Competitive Bidding Program will begin July 1, 2008 in 10 geographic areas around the country. An additional 70 geographic areas of coverage will be included in July 2009 and the remainder of the country will be included effective July 1, 2010.

• Competitive Bidding for Durable Medical Equipment »»

  On May 27, 2008 the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a list of suppliers who have signed contracts to participate in the first round of competitive bidding for Durable Medical Equipment (DME).

• Ombudsman Program »»

  The Ombudsmen for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program are now available to assist providers, suppliers, and beneficiaries by providing information and education and by facilitating the resolution of complaints and concerns.

• CMS Publishes Proposed Rules on Home and Community Based Services »»

  CMS on April 4, 2008 published proposed rules for the new Section 1915(i), a new optional services made available through section 6086 the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

• Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carriers (DMERCs) - Coverage Determination for Power Mobility Devices under Medicare - October 2005 (DOC 612864 bytes)
• iBOT Comments - May 2006 (DOC 26624 bytes)

Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act) -- Senate Health, Education, labor and pensions committee holds hearing, Community Services and Supports: Planning Across Generations

The hearing focused on the need for reform and highlighted the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, or the CLASS Act (S. 1758), as well as the Community Choice Act (S. 799). For more information on the hearing:

• Hearing Brief: Class Act (DOC 114688 bytes)

To view the Class Act Bill go to the Library of Congress -- on the site, search by the Bill number S.1758 or S. 799 where you can access the bill language, bill status, etc.

• Library of Congress - Thomas Web Site.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has released a new report regarding the impacts of CMS citizenship documentation requirements and access to healthcare. The citizenship documentation requirements currently used to determine eligibility for Medicaid programs has resulted in U.S. citizens, especially children, who are otherwise eligible for Medicaid, being uninsured for longer than necessary periods of time because they are unable to promptly produce a birth certificate. A copy of the report is available at:

http://www/cbpp.org/2-2-07health.htm