2021 Advocacy Efforts

2021 ITEM Coalition Year in Review

October 15, 2021

• Letter to CMS: ITEM Coalition Comments on Proposed Repeal of MCIT Pathway. 42 ITEM Coalition member organizations signed on.

October 14, 2021

• Letter to CMS: Establish Seat Elevation and Standing Systems as DME. Congressional letter led by Sens. Tammy Duckworth, Marsha Blackburn, and Bob Casey. 

October 6, 2021

• Letter to CMS: Open the National Coverage Determination Request for Reconsideration for Coverage of Seat Elevation and Standing Systems. Congressional letter led by Reps. Jim Langevin and Don Young; 77 members of Congress signed on.

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

• 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.