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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 102 Duane Road |
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| City | Fort Totten |
State | NY |
Zip Code | 11359 |
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 | 2025 |
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: Stephen Lieberman |
Date | 3/6/2026 2:15:39 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 TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
As part of our Roll on Capitol Hill fly-in event, United Spinal advocated for provisions to be included in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization that would improve paratransit service through enhanced data collection, analysis, and services (H.R. 4116, led by Reps. Titus (D-NV) and Van Drew (R-NJ)) as well as to conduct a study of transit facilities to help improve access to accessible parking spaces (led by Reps. Cohen (D-TN) and Burchett (R-TN)).
United Spinal advocacy and policy staff participated in a quarterly call with Amtrak along with other representatives from disability organizations.
United Spinal advocacy and policy staff participated in an annual meeting with Amtraks Board of Directors and senior leadership along with other representatives from disability organizations.
United Spinal policy staff provided feedback to members of Congress on potential legislation that would improve access to parking lots, especially for wheelchair users through data collection and an accessible parking standards analysis by the Government Accountability Office.
United Spinal advocates for a bill, H. R. 4116, the Disability to Transportation Access Act, introduced by Representative Dina Titus (D-NV-01) that would improve paratransit service through enhanced data collection, analysis, and services.
United Spinal contacted the new Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Sean Duffy, by letter to familiarize him with United Spinal and our willingness to work with him on access issues such as air travel and employing technologies with autonomous vehicles and paratransit vehicles.
United Spinal, along with the other co-leads of SecureRide, a wheelchair securement standard initiative of United Spinal and other members submitted a letter of support for a Small Business Innovation Research Grant, Phase II, NHTSA 24-NH6: Anchor Design for Universal Docking Interface Geometry.
United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force supported comments submitted by the Task Forces Co-Chairs in response to the Department of Transportations request for comments, Ensuring Lawful Regulation; Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, DOT-OST-2025-0026. The letter read in part, The rules that the Department of Transportation has issued related to accessibility and consumer protections, including the recent adoption of the Accessibility Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way, have resulted in increased opportunity and economic independence for people with disabilities. Removing these regulations would have demonstrable harm on our communities and prevent many Americans from all walks of life from obtaining employment, healthcare, and education and from participating in the family, social, and religious life of their choice. There is much work that remains to be done, and we encourage the Department to focus on those opportunities rather than on removing regulations or reducing the enforcement of regulations that benefit millions.
United Spinal joined an informal coalition of patient advocates and stakeholders that wrote to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator to oppose an amendment to the Georgia Pathways to Coverage Section 1115 waiver that denies non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), a benefit required by statute, for the Medicaid expansion population. The letter read in part, The states decision to waive the NEMT benefit for the expansion population jeopardizes Georgians access to critical health care services, especially in rural areas. A 2024 study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) using the 2021 Medical Expenditure PanelSurvey (MEPS) measured the prevalence of lack of reliable transportation. The study found that adults with public health insurance were more likely than those with private insurance to lack reliable transportation, and the highest percentage of adults who lacked reliable transportation was in Medicaid (20.4%).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation, U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Transportation - Dept of (DOT), Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 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 |
Stephen |
Lieberman |
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Senior Director, Advocacy & Policy |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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Public Policy Fellow |
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 advocacy and policy staff participated in a quarterly meeting of the Disability Community Advisory Group with DC HSEMA.
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 |
Stephen |
Lieberman |
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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
As part of United Spinal's Roll on Capitol Hill fly-in event, United Spinal advocated against the Medicaid Cuts included in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
United Spinal policy staff provided feedback to members of Congress on potential legislation that would improve the timeliness of repairs made to individually customized, medically prescribed wheelchairs.
As a member of the Health and LongTerm Services and Supports Task Forces of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), along with numerous allied organizations, United Spinal wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to urge the Committee to exclude Medicaid cuts, work requirements, or any changes that limit funding or eligibility, from budget reconciliation or other legislation. The letter read in part, People with disabilities, older adults, family caregivers and their children, direct care workers, and other low-income individuals and families depend on Medicaid every day for their health, safety, and independence. Medicaid enables our communities to go to work and to care for their loved ones. It is our communities' lifeline, and we cannot afford for any part of it to be cut.
As a member of the Health and LongTerm Services and Supports Task Forces of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), along with numerous allied organizations, United Spinal supported a letter the task forces cochair sent to to the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to urge the Committee to reject cuts to the Medicaid program that would threaten the health and well-being of millions of people with disabilities and older adults.
As a member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, United Spinal, along with numerous other members, sent a letter to the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate. The letter read in part, we write with urgency to underscore the critical need to protect Medicaid beneficiaries access to durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) as Congress considers significant Medicaid budget cuts in the reconciliation package currently under negotiation. The ITEM Coalition typically does not address reimbursement issues and tends to focus on coverage and coding of assistive devices and technologies. However, when significant threats to reimbursement would materially impact patient access to care, we feel it is important to weigh-in with our members concerns.
As a member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, United Spinal, along with numerous other members, wrote to Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting a meeting with him to discuss the status of the long-pending National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for standing systems in Group 3 power wheelchairs. The letter further urged CMS to move forward with the NCA.
As a member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, United Spinal, along with numerous other members, signed onto a public statement opposing a decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) which published the final rule for the Contract Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D programs. Unfortunately, the agency decided not to move forward with finalizing the proposed coverage expansion of anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for the treatment of obesity of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
As a member of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR), United Spinal, along with numerous other members, wrote to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator, Mehmet Oz, requesting to meet with him and his team to discuss how CMS and CPR can work together going forward to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries-particularly individuals with injuries, disabilities, and chronic conditions-have access to the high-quality, person-centered care they need to recover, rehabilitate, and remain as functional and independent as possible.
United Spinal, through our Access and Care Coalition, advocated for full and fair reimbursement rates for Transanal Irrigation (TAI) Systems with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). TAI systems are prescription-only medical devices designed to help individuals with neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) manage their condition effectively. On January 13, 2025, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) issued a positive final Benefit Category Determination (BCD) for TAI devices and accessories, designating devices with rectal catheters that have a sealing function (e.g., balloon or cone-based catheters) as prosthetic devices. United Spinal also signed onto a letter as a member of the TAI Society, urging insurance providers to establish coverage for TAI, implement the modified codes into their systems and assign sustainable reimbursement.
As a supporter of the Modern Medicaid Alliance (MMA) and along with numerous members and other supporters, the MMA wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the Senate, to express deep concerns and opposition to many of the policies contained in the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committees portion of H.R. 1, the reconciliation bill passed by the House on May 22. In light of these concerns, we urge all Senators to reject the Medicaid provisions included in the House reconciliation package and protect the Medicaid program from the harmful funding cuts it proposes.
United Spinal advocacy and policy staff participated in a call with Joe Albanese from CMS to discuss several items of importance to the disability community, including therapy caps and the availability of post-acute medical rehabilitation, as part of the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
Stephen |
Lieberman |
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Senior Director, Advocacy & Policy |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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Public Policy Fellow |
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 HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
As part of our Roll on Capitol Hill fly-in event, United Spinal advocated for forthcoming legislation to bring needed reforms to the wheelchair repair process.
United Spinal advocates for H.R.1703 and S. 247, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, introduced by Representative John Joyce (R-PA-13) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). The bill improves access to lightweight carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs by allowing individuals with mobility challenges to choose the wheelchair that is best suited for their medical, functional, and lifestyle needs and preferences, without increasing costs to the Medicare program.
United Spinal advocates for H. R. 2560 / S.830, the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act introduced by Representative Nicholas A. Langworthy (R-NY-23) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to support the well-being of family caregivers.
United Spinal advocates for H. R. 2320, the Mobility Means Freedom Tax Credit Act, introduced by representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-9). The bill would provide individuals with a 50% tax credit for the purchase of manual or powered wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, gait trainers, crutches, canes, artificial legs or arms, leg, arm, back or neck braces, and includes any features of or enhancements to such devices.
As a member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, United Spinal, along with numerous other members, wrote to Representative Steve Cohen to express our support for H.R. 2320, the Mobility Means Freedom Tax Credit Act of 2025, which would provide individuals with a meaningful tax benefit to partially cover the costs associated with the purchasing of qualified mobility devices. Specifically, this bill would provide individuals with a 50% tax credit for the purchase of manual or powered wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, gait trainers, crutches, canes, artificial legs or arms, leg, arm, back or neck braces, and includes any features of or enhancements to such devices. The letter read in part, Improving and increasing Medicare beneficiary access to assistive mobility devices is a core principle of the ITEM Coalition and we are fully supportive of this bill, which seeks to accomplish this goal.
United Spinal staff met with Mary Lazare, acting administrator of the Administration for Community Living to share concerns about the Administration for Community Living (ACL) reorganization within the Department of Health and Human Services.
United spinal continues to advocate about the concerns we have about the major restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services programs. We want to make sure that critical programs, services, and funding for the disability and aging communities, such as the Centers for Independent Living, Home and Community-Based Services and the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) are not negatively impacted.
United Spinal opposed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, along with 730 organizations who are members of the Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC), the Health and Long Term Services and Supports Task Forces of the Consortium forConstituents with Disabilities (CCD) in a letter to the House bipartisan leadership because of the harmful cuts and changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that will result in at least 13.7 million people having their coverage taken away.
United Spinal opposed, H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Act, along with 1,100 organizations who are members of the Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC), the Health and Long Term Services and Supports Task Forces of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), and allied organizations in a letter to Senate bipartisan leadership because of the harmful cuts and changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The bill itself will result in at least 10.9 million people becoming uninsured, including millions of people with disabilities and older adults. When factoring in expiration of ACA premium tax credits, the number of people who will become uninsured rises to 16 million.
United Spinal provided a letter of support for a research proposal, Comparative Effectiveness of Collaborative Care Versus Rehabilitation Care to Improve Chronic Pain, being submitted to the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) PLACER mechanism.
United Spinal supported a letter that numerous senators, led by Senators Wyden and Sanders, sent to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. expressing grave concerns with planned reductions in the Departments workforce and requesting basic information to support the reductions. The letter read in part, These cuts worsen the harm you are already inflicting on seniors, people its staff when already under-staffed will undermine programs and services that these at-risk communities rely on each day.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS)
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 |
Stephen |
Lieberman |
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Senior Director, Advocacy & Policy |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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Public Policy Fellow |
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
United Spinal joined numerous other disability organizations, veterans service organizations and other aviation stakeholders to submit comments in response to the request for information published by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on April 6, 2025, DOT-OST-2025-0026 Ensuring Lawful Regulation; Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs. The letter in part read, Our comments reflect our organizations shared commitment to advocating for passengers with disabilities and their families to have safe and reliable access to air travel across their journey. We write to urge the department to abide by its statutory obligations under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) (49 U.S.C. 41705), the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (P.L.118-63), and other relevant federal laws to ensure the department acts to provide for the safety and dignity of passengers with disabilities in air travel.
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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Public Policy Fellow |
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
United Spinal advocates for S. 1261, the CONNECT for Health Act, introduced by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) The CONNECT for Health Act will expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare, make COVID-19 tele,health flexibilities permanent, improve health outcomes, and make it easier for patients to connect with their doctors. Current flexibilities are set to expire on September 30 unless Congress extends them.
United Spinal advocates for, H.R. 3417, the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2025 introduced by Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-17), which would require that websites and applications used by covered entities (employment entities, public entities, public accommodation, or testing entities) to communicate or interact with applicants, employees, participants, customers, or other members of the public be readily accessible to and useable by individuals with disabilities.
United Spinal, along with numerous other members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition wrote to Representative Pete Sessions to express our support for H.R. 3417, the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2025 (the Act), which would require that websites and applications used by covered entities (employment entities, public entities, public accommodation, or testing entities) to communicate or interact with applicants, employees, participants, customers, or other members of the public be readily accessible to and useable by individuals with disabilities. The letter read in part, We applaud your leadership in sponsoring this bill to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities with respect to participation or denial of services, accessibility, employment, and equal enjoyment related to websites and software applications. We look forward to working with you and your House colleagues to pass and enact this important legislation into law.
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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Public Policy Fellow |
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
United Spinal advocates for H. R. 1971, the Veterans SPORT Act, introduced by Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1). The bill would amend the U. S. Code to include adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities in the medical services furnished to eligible veterans by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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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Public Policy Fellow |
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
As a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Financial Securities Task Force, United Spinal signed onto a letter to the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education requesting the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) be funded at a minimum level of $43.1 million in FY 2026.
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 |
Stephen |
Lieberman |
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Senior Director, Advocacy & Policy |
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Kent |
Keyser |
|
Public Policy Fellow |
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
United Spinal continues to advocate with members of Congress for increased federal funding for the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems as well as the Burn Model Systems and the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Increased funding at all three Model Systems, including the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center is needed to translate data, research, and clinical knowledge into resources to benefit the SCI, TBI and burn injury communities.
United Spinal supported letters being circulated in the House and Senate for members to sign onto addressed to the bipartisan leadership of the respective Appropriations Committees Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies requesting fiscal Year 2026 funding for the Model Systems program and the Model Systems Knowledge Translational Center (MSKTC) administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at the Administration for Community Living. Specifically, requested $150 million for NIDILRR so the Model Systems program can continue to provide multidisciplinary care through the entirety of the rehabilitation process-from emergency services at the time of injury through a persons return to full participation in the community-for people with spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and burn injury. Despite its vital importance, the Model Systems program has not seen an increase in funding since 2006.
To address the growing need to support family caregivers who are the linchpin of the nations long-term services and supports system, United Spinal, along with numerous national, state and local organizations representing all ages and disabilities, respectfully requested the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of the appropriations committees in a letter that the House and Senate Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies and House and Senate Appropriations Committees provide $20 million in funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program, a funding level consistent with the bipartisan Member request led by Rep. Fitzpatrick and Rep. Dingell in a recent letter to the House Appropriations Committee. We are also requesting significant investments beyond current funding for the Older Americans Act Title III-E, National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFSCP) and Older Americans Act Title VI-C, Native American Caregiver Support Services.
United Spinal, along with numerous other organizations, respectfully requested the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of the respective appropriations committees support the establishment of a Bladder Cancer Research Program at the Department of Defense (DoD) with $8 million in dedicated funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The letter read in part, Our organizations represent bladder cancer patients and caregivers as well as the doctors who treat them and have first-hand knowledge of the acute need for additional support for bladder cancer research to improve the health of Americas veterans.
United Spinal, as a member of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC), along with the broader disability and rehabilitation research community, individuals, organizations, and institutions urged the bipartisan , bicameral leadership of the respective appropriations subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies to fund the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at no less than $119 million in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The letter read in part, While we recognize that federal funding is constrained, this flat funding level is the minimum necessary to sustain NIDILRRs essential research programs and ensure the continuation of vital grants to the disability and rehabilitation research community.
United Spinal, as a member of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC), along with the broader disability and rehabilitation research community, individuals, organizations, and institutions urged the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of the respective appropriations subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies to strongly support full funding for medical rehabilitation and disability-related research at the National Institutes of Health, particularly, the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) within the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), in the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
United Spinal advocates for the restoration and continued federal funding of the Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP). This program was established by Congress in fiscal year 2009 (FY09), in part as a response to the high rates of SCI observed in warfighters returning home from duty. The Congressional intent was to establish a program to enhance the long-term care of wounded soldiers. The entire $40 million for SCIRP funding was eliminated for fiscal year 2025. It is critical that this funding be restored for these critical research and development investments guided by the vision to advance the treatment and management of SCI for military service members, veterans, their families, as well as all individuals living with SCI.
United Spinal signed onto two letters the Defense Health Research Consortium sent respectively to the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees Subcommittees on Defense. The letters read in part, As you begin work on the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, we write to thank you and encourage you to continue your support for the critical and highly successful Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense (DoD). While the CDMRP funds research to protect the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, military families, veterans, and civilian populations from a wide range of medical conditions and health challenges, many of these programs are also directly related to preparedness and response to global pandemics. We therefore encourage you to increase funding from FY 2024 levels for these critical programs by at least five percent plus inflation (approximately $123 million increase), to ensure that our country is prepared to meet current and future public health-related threats and challenges to our national security. An increase in funding is particularly vital to mitigate the impact of inflation on the purchasing power of individual CDMRP programs, particularly those programs that have been flat funded for several years.
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 |
Stephen |
Lieberman |
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Senior Director, Advocacy & Policy |
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Kent |
Keyser |
|
Public Policy Fellow |
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 FOO
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Financial Security and Poverty Task Force wrote to the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of the respective agriculture appropriations subcommittees to express our grave concern with proposals under consideration for inclusion in budget reconciliation that would cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
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 |
Stephen |
Lieberman |
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Senior Director, Advocacy & Policy |
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Kent |
Keyser |
|
Public Policy Fellow |
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, as a member of the Social Security Task Force (SSTF) of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), along with numerous other members, responded to the Social Security administration request for comments, Agency Information Collection Activities: New Emergency Request No. SSA-2025-0014. The comments in part read, We are concerned that the new hybrid Security Authentication PIN (SAP) program will impose an unreasonable burden on claimants who need to solicit SSAs services, in particular older adults, widows, orphans, and people with disabilities, including but not limited to those who are Deaf or hard of hearing and non-speaking people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), who face barriers using the telephone, accessing technology, and/or face obstacles traveling to a field office because of their age, disability, geography, poverty or other circumstances.
United Spinal, as a member of the Social Security Task Force (SSTF) of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), along with numerous other members, signed onto a letter to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration welcoming him to his new position and offering him several recommendations to improve the Administrations programs efficiencies:
Prioritize creating a complete online application for all SSI applicants, including children
Streamline data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence
Eliminate the reconsideration level of review
Update, outdated occupational information
Add a robust online scheduling tool
Ensure comprehensive customer service for all individuals
United Spinal supported a letter sent to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration signed by numerous representatives led by Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) and Jeff Hurd (R-CO-3). The letter read in part, We write today regarding concerns about the proposed changes to customer service at the Social Security Administration. Our constituents heavily rely on the services provided by our local SSA offices, the SSA website, and the SSA 1-800 number. Specifically, we are concerned about the SSA implementing staffing cuts and ending leases of customer service centers.
United Spinal submitted adverse comments in response to the Department of Energys request for comments to Docket Number DOE-HQ-2025-0015 (New Construction Requirements Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities) and Docket Number DOE-HQ-2025-0024 (Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities (General Provisions). Our adverse comments in part read, United Spinals decades old commitment to accessibility services opens doors more easily for everyone. Our work, from the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City to the San Diego Zoo and in less obvious spaces, like corporate offices of large companies, has been dedicated to making sure spaces are designed to be inclusive for all. That work and our daily work to serve the quality-of-life needs of wheelchair users depends on the application of 10 C.F.R. 1040.73 and similar regulations that have been adopted by at least 80 federal agencies. They enable us to roll through a door to use the restroom, roll into our workplace or school or to eat in a restaurant or shop in a store, And as an organization that fully understands the implications of rescinding portions of DOEs program access rule for existing facilities at 10 C.F.R. 1040.72(c) & (d), including the requirement to make a transition plan to eliminate access barriers in these existing facilities, please be assured, we are horrified by the implications of both these proposed actions.
United Spinal also signed a letter as a co-chair of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities Rights Task Force to the Department of Energy submitting significant adverse comments to the above proposed direct final rules.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Social Security Administration (SSA), Energy - Dept of, U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
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Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
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LOBBYIST UPDATE
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CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE
29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery,
extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
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