December 23, 2015 CRT Stakeholders and Friends, We want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and thank you for your advocacy work in 2015. It has been a long and challenging year protecting access to Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) within the Medicare program. The collective advocacy work from all segments of the CRT community has been critical to ensuring people with disabilities can maintain access to the specialized equipment and supporting services they depend on. The good news is that due to everyone's Congressional emails, phone calls, personal visits, and other activities we were able to finish 2015 with a one year delay in the application of competitive bid pricing to accessories used with Complex Power wheelchairs. While not a complete win, it is an important one. This one year delay provides us time for the additional work that must be done, which includes pursuing protection for accessories used with Complex Manual wheelchairs. We must continue to collaborate with Congress in 2016 to establish the separate recognition of CRT within the Medicare program. Through these efforts we will achieve the needed comprehensive and permanent changes. The CRT advocacy work this year has been a true team effort. While it is not possible to thank everyone individually, a very sincere thanks goes to the following organizations and their people for their commitment and leadership in protecting access to CRT this year (listed alphabetically). • Abilities Expo • ALS Association • American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation • American Association for Homecare • Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation • Clinician Task Force • Invacare Corporation • ITEM Coalition • MED Group • Monroe Wheelchair • Muscular Dystrophy Association • National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology • National Council on Independent Living • National Multiple Sclerosis Society • National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers • National Seating & Mobility • Numotion • Paralyzed Veterans of America • Permobil Group • Quantum Rehab • RESNA • Sunrise Medical • United Spinal Association • Various State Associations • Vets First • VGM Group/US Rehab As we look ahead, 2016 will be a very important year for CRT. As mentioned, we have a great opportunity to build on the Congressional work and results from this year and we will do that as we all continue to work together to protect access to CRT. We'll share more information on the 2016 plans and activities as we move into January. Regards, Don Donald E. Clayback Executive Director | NCART Office 716-839-9728 | Cell 716-913-4754 dclayback@ncart.us |www.ncart.us