_ALW4326 CRT Stakeholders and Friends, We wanted to give a quick report on this past Monday's Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Educational Exposition held on Capitol Hill and hosted by the United Spinal Association, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and NCART. The expo was based on the theme that if Congress is unable to come to CRT, CRT will come to Congress. Bottom line it was a successful event! We were pleased to have many Congressional staff visit the Exposition to learn about CRT in person. On display were CRT manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, wheelchair accessories, and other CRT items. Over the course of three hours attendees were able stop in and talk directly with consumers, clinicians, providers and manufacturers to hear about the access challenges that exist and how we need Congress to help. The good news: It was very encouraging to hear comments from the Congressional staff saying they NOW see how CRT is different and needs to be recognized as such. We will be following up with those attendees and sharing additional information with them on the pressing need to stop Competitive Bid pricing from being applied to Complex Rehab wheelchair accessories scheduled for January 1st. Thanks to the United Spinal Association and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for being co-hosts and for the sponsorship of Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Joe Crowley (D-NY). Thanks also to all the CRT stakeholders who reached out to their Members with an invitation to attend. Even if your Members were not able to stop by, your contact with them keeps the CRT message on their radar screen. The event served to continue to increase CRT awareness within the hall and minds of Congress. That awareness needs to continue to grow and is key to us being successful in preserving access to CRT. Regards, Don Donald E. Clayback Executive Director | NCART Office 716-839-9728 | Cell 716-913-4754 dclayback@ncart.us | www.ncart.us