The ITEM Coalition is devoted to raising awareness and building support for policies that will enhance access to assistive devices, technologies, and related services for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. The coalition is consumer-led and includes a diverse set of disability organizations, aging organizations, other consumer groups, voluntary health associations, and non-profit provider associations.
Most Recent Advocacy Efforts
September 1, 2021
- Letter to Congress: Support for Medicare Coverage of Low Vision Aids. 40 ITEM Coalition member organizations and 43 additional supporting organizations signed on.
August 30, 2021
- Statement for the Record: Senate Aging Committee, Hearing on “Eyes, Ears, and Teeth: Expanding Medicare to Cover Whole Person Care.”
July 30, 2021
- Letter to Congress: Support for S. 2363, the Better Wound Care at Home Act. ITEM Coalition Steering Committee letter.
July 16, 2021
- Letter to Congress: ITEM Coalition Comments on Cures 2.0 Discussion Draft. ITEM Coalition Steering Committee letter.
July 16, 2021
- Letter to HHS: House Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus Letter on Seat Elevation and Standing Systems NCD Request. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Don Young (R-AK) letter.
May 18, 2021
- Letter to CMS: Protect Access to Complex Rehabilitation Manual Wheelchair Accessories in Medicare. ITEM Coalition Steering Committee letter.
May 4th, 2021
- Letter to House: Support H.R. 2356, the Better Wound Care at Home Act. ITEM Coalition Steering Committee letter.
April 30th, 2021
- Letter to House: Support H.R. 2461, the “Triple A” Study Act.
- Letter to Senate: Support S. 1089, the “Triple A” Study Act. 42 ITEM Coalition members signed on.
April 16th, 2021
- Letter to CMS: ITEM Coalition Comments on Interim Final Rule and Delay of Effective Date for Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology (MCIT) Pathway. ITEM Coalition Steering Committee letter.
January 4th, 2021
- Letter to CMS: ITEM Coalition Comments on 2021 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Proposed Rule. ITEM Coalition Steering Committee letter.
- Letter to CMS: ITEM Coalition Low Vision Group Comments on Coverage of Low Vision Aids.
September 15th, 2020: ITEM Coalition Calls on CMS to Expand Medicare Coverage of Seat Elevation and Standing Systems in Power Wheelchairs
- Letter of support from 60 national rehabilitation and disability organizations
- Formal reconsideration request for National Coverage Determination for Mobility Assistive Equipment (NCD for MAE)
- ITEM Coalition press release on submission
- National Council on Disability letter to CMS
Policy Priorities
The ITEM Coalition’s 2021 Policy Priorities can be found here.
