Leif Brierley spoke at the National Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Leadership and Advocacy Conference last month regarding the ITEM Coalition’s advocacy priorities for this year.
As a firm client, the 75-member ITEM Coalition works to advance policies that will enhance access to assistive devices, technologies and related services for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. The coalition consists of a diverse set of disability organizations, aging organizations, consumer groups, health associations, and non-profit provider associations.
At the conference, Leif presented the coalition’s priorities for 2018. This includes advocating for a new CRT benefit category and to exempt manual CRT wheelchair components from competitive bidding, among other priorities. He also mentioned the coalition’s goal of expanding Medicare coverage of seat elevation in power wheelchairs and standing wheelchairs.
Additionally, he discussed recent coalition victories, including passage of the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act, which will help provide access to Speech Generating Devices for beneficiaries with ALS, multiple sclerosis, and other serious conditions.
The National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART) and the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) partnered to hold the annual National CRT Leadership and Advocacy Conference. The two-day conference incorporated industry-focused sessions and legislative and regulatory updates with congressional visits.
Leif Brierley
Leif Brierley, MPH, is the Powers’ Manager of Government Relations. He focuses on federal healthcare, rehabilitation, and disability policy and advocacy. He leads and facilitates advocacy activities including Congressional visits, Capitol Hill briefings, and federal agency meetings.
Additionally, Leif manages several national disability and rehabilitation coalitions led by the Powers public policy and government relations group. These coalitions focus on access to rehabilitation services and devices, assistive technology, quality orthotic and prosthetic care, and promote disability and rehabilitation research across the federal health agencies.
Leif can be reached at Leif.Brierley@powerslaw.com or 202-349-4246.