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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 |
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City | Kew Gardens |
State | NY |
Zip Code | 11415 |
Country | USA |
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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 | 2017 |
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. | ||||||||
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 |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: Alexandra Bennewith |
Date | 10/18/2017 2:55:55 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
United Spinal supports the existence of the Paralysis Resource Center. The PRC provides comprehensive information for people living with spinal cord injury, paralysis and mobility-related disabilities and their families. Resources include information and referral by phone and email in multiple languages including English and Spanish; a peer and family support mentoring program; a military and veterans program; multicultural outreach services; free lending library; quality of life grants; and a national website. The grant components and requirements may differ in upcoming grant announcements.
United Spinal signed on to multiple letters to Congress in opposition to efforts to repeal the ACA regarding limiting pre-existing conditions, removing essential health benefits and cutting Medicaid.
United Spinal policy staff was invited to a workshop with providers, manufacturers and payers in the biopharmaceutical space, including the U.S Food and Drug Administration, to discuss consumer education, guidelines and policy.
Lupus and Allied Diseases Association - United Spinal endorsed their letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services opposing CMS policy on payment for biosimilar biological products that assigns shared codes to multiple distinct biological products. Shared codes make it more difficult for individuals to receive the right products for their needs.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), 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 CIV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Signed onto letters to Congress, and engaged in multiple Hill visits, opposing the ADA Education and Reform Act H.R. 620 which would create significant obstacles for people with disabilities to enforce their rights under Title III of the ADA. Title III (public accommodations) was intended to balance the interests of small businesses along with the accessibility concerns of people with disabilities. Title III does not require any action with respect to existing buildings that would cause an undue burden on businesses or that is not readily achievable.
Supports S. 910/H.R. 2472 - Disability Integration Act
United Spinal endorsed H.Con.Res.80 - Expressing the sense of the Congress that assisted suicide (sometimes referred to as death with dignity, end-of-life options, aid-in-dying, or similar phrases) puts everyone, including those most vulnerable, at risk of deadly harm and undermines the integrity of the health care system.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
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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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
Support VA Accountability Legislation to Enable VA Leaders to Manage Workforce Issues Effectively to Improve Healthcare Access for Veterans - HR 1259.
Enhance Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits Program.
United Spinal and VetsFirst (a program of United Spinal Association, supports more pathways for veterans to become aviation maintenance technicians-- and expand their career opportunities.
There is an FAA flight regulation (Part 147) that would be updated by a pending FAA regulation that actually updates training standards and would create a smoother pathway to expand maintenance training programs reflecting modern aircraft.
H.R. 2123/S. 925, The Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support (VETS) Act of 2017
United Spinal, along with other disability organizations, signed onto a letter to the bipartisan leadership of Congress which introduced the Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support (VETS) Act of 2017 to improve the ability of veterans to access care via telehealth by relieving geographic restrictions on telehealth services and promoting access to high quality, coordinated care for all veterans, particularly those in rural areas. United Spinal is a member of the HealthIT Now Coalition which works on telemedicine initiatives at the national and state levels.
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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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 co-presented in an October 4th panel discussion for employees of DDOT Office of Civil Rights to discuss the importance of an accessible transportation system to people with disabilities and the critical importance of accessible transportation systems and infrastructure to the community's education / employment challenges and opportunities.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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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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 AVI
16. Specific lobbying issues
Met with DOT on wheelchair damage issues on airlines.
Supports FAA Reauthorization including some disability specific sections.
United Spinal supports Air Carriers Access Amendments Act, S.1318.
Signed onto letter urging the House committee on Appropriations to protect funding for DOT programs impacting people with disabilities during FY18 negotiations.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Transportation - Dept of (DOT), 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 BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Endorsed letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education requesting full funding for the Assistive Technology Act.
Met with bipartisan budget and appropriation committee leadership to urge continued federal funding for the Paralysis Resource Center at ACL.
Endorsed letter on FY 2018 appropriations to the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies recommending that the FY 2018 Labor, HHS, Education, and Related Agencies appropriation bill provide necessary and sufficient funding for the various federal agencies supporting and conducting disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research to address the current and future needs for individuals with disabilities and society. We also recommend that the report accompanying the bill include language recognizing the critical importance of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
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 MMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 750 The Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) Act will create a separate category for CRT within the Medicare DME benefit.
H.R. 3730 - provides a permanent exemption from Medicare's competitive acquisition program for manual CRT and wheelchairs and related components(including endorsing a letter to Congress).
United Spinal Association signed onto a letter to CMS spearheaded by Consumer Voice opposing a nursing home rule on pre-dispute arbitration agreements. The existing regulation is designed to ensure that a resident enters into an arbitration agreement only if he or she knows what is at stake and has made a conscious decision to choose arbitration. The proposed regulation, on the other hand, would lead to the routine use and enforcement of pre-dispute binding arbitration agreements that were signed when the resident knew nothing of the dispute that ultimately is arbitrated, and signed only because the resident had to agree to arbitration in order to be admitted. Nursing facilities would quickly institute policies requiring pre-dispute binding arbitration agreements from all incoming residents.
CONGRESSIONAL AND CMS SUPPORT LETTERS
United Spinal Association supports the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act (BIPA), (including Section 427) which urges CMS to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries continue to have access to quality prosthetic and custom-fabricated orthotic care provided by practitioners and suppliers with appropriate education, training and experience. Supports H.R. 3635 which is companion legislation to S. 794 which would help ensure basic procedural fairness in Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs), and thereby provide an important Medicare beneficiary protection that is often lacking in local coverage decisions. Signed onto a letter to HR 3178, the Medicare Part B Improvement Act: bill contains provisions addressing beneficiary access to care, including prosthetic & orthotics, home infusion, and ESRD issues.
United Spinal Association, as part of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation, shared concerns with Congress on limiting caps on therapy services and reviewing issues around pre- and post-payment review and complications of complex patients. Also opposed, as part of this coalition the Graham Cassidy proposal to repeal the ACA. Also submitted comments on this: (CMS-1672-P) Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2018 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update and Proposed CY 2019 Case-Mix Adjustment Methodology Refinements;
Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model; and Home Health Quality Reporting Requirements. Raised concerns related to Jimmo, therapy thresholds and billing timeframes.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. SENATE
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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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 COM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Submitted comments during the open comment period on restoring internet freedom/net neutrality. We recommended that the FCC continue to promote internet freedoms. We urged for the FCC to not place barriers on the lives of individuals living with disabilities as net neutrality is important to telehealth and connected devices. The comments were submitted during the open comment period in July.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
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 TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal and VetsFirst (a program of United Spinal Association), supports more pathways for veterans to become aviation maintenance technicians-- and expand their career opportunities. There is an FAA flight regulation (Part 147) that would be updated by a pending FAA regulation that actually updates training standards and would create a smoother pathway to expand maintenance training programs reflecting modern aircraft.
Reviewed draft transportation legislation on autonomous vehicles with Congressional staff on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
United Spinal attended a meeting with the Transportation Security Administration to hear updates from the agency and to raise travel concerns for people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.
United Spinal met with the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), Office of the Secretary on the issue of autonomous vehicles (AV). United Spinal Public Policy staff, along with numerous disability organizations met with USDOT officials to obtain:
1) a point of contact in the Secretary's office for follow up and ongoing engagement
2) a commitment to bring together stakeholders (advocacy groups, industry, standards setting bodies (SAE, US Access Board, etc.) the accessible design of a fully autonomous vehicle
3)Establish an ongoing dialogue with NHTSA on issues involving highly AVs
4)Secretary Chaos help ensuring that states don't eject barriers to riding in highly autonomous vehicles like licensing and training requirements.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 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 |
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 GOV
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal responded to Sen. Ron Wydens office about a constituent question regarding charging stations for electric wheelchairs in government buildings.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE
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 LBR
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal and the US Department of Labor, the Office of Disability Employment Policys (ODEP) are partnering on employment initiatives including with the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED) program.
United Spinal endorsed Department of Education's regulations implementing WIOA and with respect to the definition of competitive integrated employment.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Labor - Dept of (DOL), 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 |
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 INS
16. Specific lobbying issues
Social Security Disability Backlog House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Social Security Hearing on Determining Eligibility for Disability Benefits: Challenges Facing the Social Security Administration September 6, 2017.
United Spinal, along with numerous disability organizations, signed on to testimony discussing the following topics: Human Toll of the Hearing Backlog, SSA Needs Adequate Resources to Administer the Social Security Process and SSAs CARES Plan: More Must Be Done to Reduce Wait Times. The testimony concluded by saying: The number of people waiting for a hearing before an ALJ and the long waiting time is unacceptable. Claimants often experience incredible hardship during the delay in getting their claim decided - homelessness, bankruptcy, and sometimes death. SSA needs additional resources to be able to serve all its customers in a timely and accurate manner. The Task Force also urges SSA to take additional steps to ensure that eligible claims are awarded as early in the process as possible by improving the development of evidence earlier in the process and ensuring that claims that do not require a hearing to establish eligibility for benefits are processed without a hearing.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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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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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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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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
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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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