senate Bill S. 984
Do Speech Generating Devices Need to be More Accessible Through Medicare?
Argument in favor
Making these devices more accessible would improve the ability of people suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and similarly damaging diseases to communicate and live more independent lives.
02/26/2016
Many people with disabilities can't get Or hold down jobs. So where else would funding come? Grants and loans only go so for etc.
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02/27/2017
My son with autism could improve his communication unfortunately it is just to hard to get one.
07/20/2015
Emotional arguments aside, I can't think of a reason not to consider these devices durable medical equipment. The issue with using a not for profit org to "take care of this" rather than the federal budget is that they will likely be funded at least partially by federal grants so it effects the budget, just through another window. Why put yet another roadblock in the way of people who need this device? We don't need to add another red tape trail that could likely last longer than the patients have to be able to use them. Haven't they suffered enough?
Argument opposed
If this is only going to increase the deficit by about $3 million per year, isn’t there a way that these devices could be provided through the public sector or non-profits so the tab doesn't get put on federal budget?
07/22/2015
The minute anything is approved to be paid by medicare the cost goes through the roof! Allowing the patients to buy the equipment and then bill medicare would keep costs more realistic. Durable medical devices are a big money making scam that is sucking dollars out of medicare when the patients could directly purchase the equipment for less.
08/09/2015
Let sports figures pay for this from their multi million dollar salaries. Or perhaps the tax exempt NF
Many people with disabilities can't get Or hold down jobs. So where else would funding come? Grants and loans only go so for etc.
My son with autism could improve his communication unfortunately it is just to hard to get one.
Emotional arguments aside, I can't think of a reason not to consider these devices durable medical equipment. The issue with using a not for profit org to "take care of this" rather than the federal budget is that they will likely be funded at least partially by federal grants so it effects the budget, just through another window. Why put yet another roadblock in the way of people who need this device? We don't need to add another red tape trail that could likely last longer than the patients have to be able to use them. Haven't they suffered enough?
This is rounding error in comparison to the measures that should be up for discussion as budget components.
Let sports figures pay for this from their multi million dollar salaries. Or perhaps the tax exempt NF
WE ARE 18 TRILLION IN DEBT! STOP SPENDING!!! Yes, it would be great to give everybody everything they ever dreamed of having, but who is going to pay for it?
Americans with disabilities come under the provisions of Medicare.
Three million out of a population of three hundred million is one cent per person. They're welcome to my penny if it helps them communicate. This is a very minor issue.
My son has one of these, paid for by private insurance, and it is one of his most important possessions. It is inexcusable not to provide these for seniors and others covered by Medicare. The devices are cheaper than ever and provide such an important function. Thank you for passing this!
Many people have no way to communicate their needs without these devices. People with speech impairments or other disabilities deserve a voice- literally in this case.
The better a person can communicate the better for everyone.
Yes. Being able to communicate verbally is empowering and a major quality of life issue. Being wealthy enough to afford this shouldn't be the determinant factor in having one for those in need.
People need these devices and communication is a right that shouldn't be denied.
The minute anything is approved to be paid by medicare the cost goes through the roof! Allowing the patients to buy the equipment and then bill medicare would keep costs more realistic. Durable medical devices are a big money making scam that is sucking dollars out of medicare when the patients could directly purchase the equipment for less.