This week, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley introduced the Facilitating Access to Service and Timely (FAST) Repairs for Wheelchairs Act, a bill that would eliminate prior authorization requirements for wheelchair repairs under Medicare Advantage plans – including One Care plans, which combine Medicare and Medicaid for dually eligible individuals. Notably, traditional Medicare already does not require prior authorization for these repairs. What’s especially special about this legislation is that it wouldn’t have been possible without advocacy from SCIboston members. 

Pam Daly, William Good, and myself (Vita Brown), shared stories of wheelchair repair challenges at a virtual United Spinal Association Roll on Capitol Hill event last year. Congresswoman Pressely’s office heard these stories and decided to take action. This year, they reached out to us for our input on a new bill – what then became the FAST Repairs for Wheelchairs Act. We met with Congresswoman Pressley, along with Dianna Hu and Dr. Chloe Slocum, to discuss some of the challenges surrounding wheelchair repairs. You will be able to see excerpts from these conversations in the upcoming weeks on Congresswoman Pressley’s social media pages. 

Pam Daly and I were also interviewed for the United Spinal Association blog and by New Mobility Magazine. This proves what’s possible when you speak up and share your story. Now it’s your turn. Take a moment to reach out to your congressional offices and tell them you support the FAST Repairs for Wheelchair Act. Find your legislator here. And don’t forget to keep up the momentum by sharing your own wheelchair repair challenges on social media.

Source: New Mobility Magazine, 2026

Big Changes to Medicaid:

Last July, as part of H.R. 1 (aka the Big Beautiful Bill Act), Congress passed new work requirements for people receiving Medicaid. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has now issued an Interim Final Rule* (IFR) that explains how states must implement these new work requirements. 

This IFR explains what “community engagement activities” meet the work-requirement standards and defines who qualifies for exceptions – such as family caregivers or people who are “medically frail”**. It also tells the states how they must verify these work requirements and exceptions.

However, this IFR takes it a step further and in order to qualify as “medically frail” an individual must also prove that their condition significantly impairs their ability to meet the work requirements. Providing proof for these requirements will create unnecessary hurdles for people, risking their loss of Medicaid coverage despite being eligible. Read more from Politico here. 

Submit a comment on the IFR by July 31, 2026

*An IFR is like a final draft of a policy – people get a chance to submit comments to the things they want changed before the draft is finalized and published. 

**“Medically frail” is not typically used in the disability community, but is the term used in H.R. 1 and describes individuals who are blind or disabled (under the definition in the Social Security Act), or who have a substance use disorder, a serious or complex medical condition, or have a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability that significantly impairs one or more activities of daily living (ADLs).

Can’t see your doctor in person? No problem! Telehealth coverage for Medicare recipients has been extended through December 31, 2027! Learn more here.

Voting with a Disability:

The Disability Law Center hosted a REV UP MA webinar that covered the rights of voters with disabilities. Click here to watch a recording of the webinar. Learn about your registration options and ways to vote accessibly.

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