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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 120-34 Queens Blvd., #320 |
Address2 |
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| City | Kew Gardens |
State | NY |
Zip Code | 11415 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 12994-12
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6. House ID# 334210000
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2016 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
| 10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
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11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
| INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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| 12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
| INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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| Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
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Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
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| Signature | Digitally Signed By: Alexandra Bennewith |
Date | 1/20/2017 7:17:44 PM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Signed letter to Senate members urging the passing of Senate Resolution 703 designation of November 2016 as National Bladder Health Month in the United States.
Sent letter to members of House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and Senate HELP committee voicing opposition to delays by FDA on key patient safety guidance on biosimilars.
Advocated on H.R.6/H.R. 34 - 21st Century Cures Act including:
supporting S.849, Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act of 2015 that would create a centralized data collection system and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track and collect data on the epidemiology of neurological diseases.
Supports S. 800 / H.R. 1631, Enhancing the Stature and Visibility of Medical Rehabilitation. Research at the NIH Act.
Discussed quality measures for the SCI/D community and those living with Parkinson's, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis.
Supports S.3252 / H.R. 5779 Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016.
Discussed some concerns with S. 2689 - REGROW Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code EDU
16. Specific lobbying issues
Education-Executive Branch-Wrote a letter of support to the Secretary of Education to request improvement of their complaint reporting system.
United Spinal, along with other disability organizations, signed onto comments in response to the U.S. Department of Educations proposed rule implementing programs under Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that could address the inherent problem for students with disabilities in the shift to digital educational assessments. United Spinal staff continues to monitor the regulatory process on the issue.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Education - Dept of
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Ross |
Meglathery |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code CIV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Signed onto letter of opposition of ADA Education and Reform Act, S. 3446/H.R. 3765 which looked to roll back progress that was made for those protected under the ADA.
Support S. 2427/H.R. 5689 - Disability Integration Act
United Spinal opposes H.R. 4719: Correcting Obstructions to Mediate, Prevent, and Limit Inaccessibility Act or the COMPLI Act, H.R. 241: ACCESS (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services) Act of 2015.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Jasey |
Cardenas |
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Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TEC
16. Specific lobbying issues
White House Technology and Disability Summit - helped plan and prepare summit with the White House.
Participated in White House meeting on web accessibility.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
White House Office
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code MMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 3229/S. 2196 - H.R. 3229/S. 2196 to protect access to complex rehab wheelchairs and essential components required by people with disabilities.
H.R. 1516/S. 1013 - Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2015 that will create separate recognition for complex rehab technology.
United Spinal opposes a proposal in the Presidents FY2017 Budget which expands the competitive bidding program to additional categories, including ostomy and urological supplies.
Met with White House to discuss CRT.
Support reauthorizing Money Follows the Person under Medicaid.
Support protecting rehabilitative and habilitative services for people with disabilities.
United Spinal Association joined the Alliance for Healthcare Security in a Preserving the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Advertisement, along with numerous non-profits, in an ad to Congress with the message: Repealing the Affordable Care Act without an immediate plan to replace it is a big risk - like walking off an unfinished bridge. TELL CONGRESS: DONT REPEAL HEALTHCARE WITHOUT A PLAN TO PROTECT OUR CARE.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, White House Office, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code LBR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
Discussed corporate and federal issues surrounding the hiring and recruiting of people with disabilities.
DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy - provided input on hiring, recruitment and retention of people with disabilities.
United Spinal signed onto a letter in support of making Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act final.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Labor - Dept of (DOL), U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
Discussed uniform standards for the design of accessible parking placards for individuals with disabilities.
United Spinal, along with numerous disability organizations, signed onto a letter offering comments to the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration developing guidance on self-driving cars, supporting policy that balances the responsibility to keep Americas roads safe with the need to get and keep autonomous vehicles on public roads as quickly as it can be done safely. The letters recommendations included suggestions on a proposed 15-point safety assessment, accessibility, technical training and education assistance, input from the disability community, drivers licenses requirements, hosting a national conversation on liability and insurance issues and establishing a federal resource center. United Spinal public policy staff agreed to participate in a coalition on autonomous vehicles as it relates to the disability community.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Transportation - Dept of (DOT)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
Stated significant concern with the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 that does not include a meaningful increase to the age requirement.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code VET
16. Specific lobbying issues
Discussed vocational rehabilitation and education.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Christopher |
Neiweem |
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Ross |
Meglathery |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code PHA
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal continues to warn against switching individuals to different medications for non-medical reasons due to the fact that this could lead to potential adverse events. United Spinal signed onto a letter to the Food and Drug Administration highlighting our concerns.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code AER
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal participated in regulatory negotiations on DOT's Air Carrier Access Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Transportation - Dept of (DOT)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Kent |
Keyser |
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Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code INS
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal signed onto a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership requesting that the Fiscal Year 2017 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bills final version include the Presidents Budget Request of $13.067 billion for SSAs Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) account.
United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations signed onto a letter to the Social Security Administration, in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Revisions to Rules Regarding the Evaluation of Medical Evidence in Social Security claims. The letter urged the Social Security Administration (SSA)to not move forward with restricting the use of medical evidence included in beneficary benefits appeals.
As member of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Social Security Task Force, United Spinal, along with other disability organizations, signed onto comments in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to ensure consistent and uniform rules across the nation for the submission of evidence and notice for hearings for Social Security benefits.
United Spinal joined other disability organizations and signed on to comments from the CCDs Social Security and Employment and Training Task Forces in response to the NPRM issued by SSA to make improvements to the expedited reinstatement and unsuccessful work attempt work incentives.
United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force (CCD,) continues to support increasing the cap on fees that representatives can receive for representing applicants for SSDI and SSI benefits. Ensuring that claimants representatives will be paid a fee for successful work on a claimants behalf helps to ensure that a knowledgeable, experienced pool of representatives is available to represent claimants.
United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations signed onto a letter regarding possible demonstration projects designed to improve employment and earnings outcomes for individuals with musculoskeletal impairments, 81 Fed. Reg. 64254 published on September 19, 2016 (Docket No. SSA-2012-0036). Expressed concerns about SSA designing and implementing a demonstration designed to test early intervention for non Social Security disability beneficiaries.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Social Security Administration (SSA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code MED
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal wrote a comment letter to the Food and Drug Administration, in response to the Medical Device User Fee Amendments, supporting its commitment to patient engagement and better collection of data to review adverse event reporting and an improved review of clinical data.
United Spinal reached out to both the House and Senate to voice our opposition to the delays by FDA on key patient safety guidance on biosimilars. United Spinal worked with Patients for Biologics Safety and Access (PBSA) coalition to raise objections to newly announced delays in the completion of key biosimilar patient safety guidance.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code DOC
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal, along with other disability organizations, continues to encourage support and adequate funding in FY 2017 for the Transport DC accessible/subsidized taxi program.
United Spinal wrote a letter to the Mayor of the District of Columbia, Mayor Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia in opposition to B21-0038, the Dignity with Death Act of 2015
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Kent |
Keyser |
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Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code GOV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support S.3252 / H.R. 5779 Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Kent |
Keyser |
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Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
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Principal Place of Business (city and state or country) |
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
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