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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 75-20 ASTORIA BLVD. |
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City | JACKSON HEIGHTS |
State | NY |
Zip Code | 11370 |
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 | 2009 |
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 | |
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: Paul Tobin, President and CEO |
Date | 01/22/2010 |
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
Labor-HHS-Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill HR 3293-- for additional administrative funding for the Social Security Admininstration in order to reduce the tragic backlogs in Social Security disability applications and for support of many social service programs in appropriations including family to family health information centers and funding for traumatic brain injury 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 |
Peggy (Margaret) |
Hathaway |
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Andrew |
Morris |
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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 HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Health care reform and issues in both health care reform and independent legislation. See following page. See also Medicare and Medicaid.
HR 3200 in House, Americas Healthy Future Act (Senate Finance Committee) and Affordable Health Choices Act (Senate HELP Committee) - no Senate bill numbers yet. Support health care reform legislation and the related goals of reducing costs, improving quality and expanding health care coverage for Americans with disabilities and all Americans (including those who lack health insurance). Issues with asterisks indicate legislation pursued both as part of health care reform and independently. Issues include:
Provide for insurance market reforms, such as those included in the Senates Affordable Health Choices Act and the Houses Americas Affordable Health Choices Act that could greatly improve the lives of people with disabilities and chronic conditions by allowing increased access to health care, such as:
oRequiring health insurers to provide the same coverage, charge the same premiums and renew policies to people no matter what their disability or other pre-existing or newly acquired conditions. Currently, unless they have employer-sponsored plans, people with disabilities are often denied coverage altogether, the policies exclude needed services or the premiums are way too costly.
oProhibiting annual and lifetime caps on coverage. Currently many insurance companies have a lifetime benefit of $1 million. People with serious injuries or conditions often quickly exceed this cap due to lengthy hospital stays or extensive rehabilitation
oRequiring health insurance to cover rehabilitation and habilitative services and durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthodics.
oStop or limit copays for preventive care.
Provide for home and community-based services and supports for people with disabilities and chronic conditions such as Community Living Assistance and Supports (CLASS) Act* and the Community Choice Act.*
Provide for comparative effectiveness research and using the resulting information in ways that respects that what works for many people will not work for all;
Provide for prevention and wellness including
oDeveloping standards for accessible medical equipment;
oAuthorizing funds to establish a Prevention and Public Health Investment Fund;
oProviding for community Transformation Grants that include focus on the needs of people with disabilities;
oIncluding disability status within data collection on health disparities;
oProviding training programs for primary care providers and dentistry on how to treat individuals with disabilities;
Provide for health coverage that adequately meets the needs of people with disabilities and chronic conditions including
oCovering durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthotics (DMEPOS) including but not limited to power wheelchairs -- that meet the individual needs of people with disabilities and chronic conditions, enable them to be as independent as possible, to live in their homes and participate in their communities, and enable them to be employed without fear of losing health care/services and supports they need. This includes retaining the first month purchase option for people who have permanent or long-term need for power wheelchairs and including DMEPOS as covered in essential health insurance benefits.
CLASS Act* -- S. 697/H.R. 1721 included in the Senates Affordable Health Choices Act. legislation to establish a voluntary payroll deduction insurance plan so that people with disabilities will be able to pay for assistance with activities of daily living, remain in their homes and off of the Medicaid program. CBO estimates that the CLASS Act will bring billions into the federal treasury and save Medicaid $2.5 billion in the first 10 years alone.
Community Choice Act* (S. 683/H.R. 1670) make services in the home and community the norm under Medicaid - enabling people to stay in their homes and remain part of their communities rather than having to go into nursing homes or other institutions to receive needed services.
End Medicares 24-month waiting period* - S 700/HR 1708 -- end the waiting period for Medicare for people who qualify for Title II Social Security disability benefits and people with life-threatening conditions.
Comparative Effectiveness Research HR 2502/S 1213* create non-government independent entities to study the comparative effectiveness of treatments in health care.
HR 1346/S 540 * regarding immunity from state laws for companies that have products that are approved medical devices but that cause harm.
Mental Illness Chronic Care Improvement (MICCI) Act, S 1136* facilitate access to needed medical services.
Amend the Medicare Savings Programs and the Low Income Subsidy* to align, simplify and increase income eligibility, eliminate or substantially increase asset limits, stabilize the programs and make administrative simplifications.
Amend the Medicare Savings Programs and the Low Income Subsidy* to align, simplify and increase income eligibility, eliminate or substantially increase asset limits, stabilize the programs and make administrative simplifications.
Urged legislation to clarify that state Medicaid plans must ensure the provision of mandated care and Services to needy individuals not simply reimburse them, if they manage to obtain such services. (HR 3200 s. 1781(e) (page 826)) Without such a clarifying provision, current trends in the courts could significantly contract the availability of health services to underserved individuals and groups.
First month purchase option Maintain the current ability for Medicare beneficiaries to purchase their power wheelchair in the first month of use so people with long term need will get the wheelchair that they need. Both the House and Senate included language in health reform that would require a beneficiary to rent a power wheelchair for 13 months before purchase. Supported language in HR 3200 and Senate Finance health bill that would exempt Class III and higher power wheel chairs from the rental period.
Community First Choice Option in Americas Healthy Future Act -- allow states to create Medicaid plans that would reverse the institutional bias in Medicaid and provided 6% increase in FMAP matching funds to states.
H.R.2575 to provide parity under group health plans and group health insurance coverage in the provision of benefits for prosthetic devices and orthotics devices, components and benefits for other medical and surgical services.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Executive Office of the President (EOP)
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 |
Peggy (Margaret) |
Hathaway |
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Andrew |
Morris |
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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 HOU
16. Specific lobbying issues
Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2009, HR 1675, to make significant changes and improvements to the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program and authorize a demonstration program that fulfills the promise of true community integration as envisioned by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Inclusive Home Design Act, HR 2353, to advance housing accessibility by filling in gaps of Fair Housing Act & Sec 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
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 |
Peggy (Margaret) |
Hathaway |
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Andrew |
Morris |
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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
Community Living Assistance and Supports Act (CLASS Act) to create a national insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide services to assist people with activities of daily living in order to stay in their homes and communities if they become disabled. People would not be required to qualify for Medicaid or go into a nursing home or other institution in order to receive benefits. Included in Senate Affordable Health Choices Act. see also Social Security - next page.
Social Security
HR 1093 regarding fee caps to help make sure that attorneysand others representing Social Security disability claimants are paid in a timely manner and to index the allowed fees to the Cost of Living Adjustment.
H.R. 2829, the Recidivism Reduction Act to expedite reinstatement of Social Security, SSI, and Medicaid benefits for eligible individuals after incarceration
HR 3325 to reauthorize through fiscal 2010 the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program and the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security program, both of which provide employment-related services for people with disabilities. These provisions will expire without reauthorization.
Met with senior SSA officials and Hill staff regarding proposed legislation to expedite obtaining and review of medical records of disability claimants while protecting privacy rights of people with disabilities.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, 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 |
Peggy (Margaret) |
Hathaway |
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Andrew |
Morris |
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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
Stem Cell Research Improvement Act of 2009 allows for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research provided that certain ethical requirements are met (HR 873 and S 487).
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 |
Peggy (Margaret) |
Hathaway |
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Andrew |
Morris |
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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
Met with senior Department of Labor (DOL) officials regarding: making DOL Navigator program and One-Stop Career Centers better serve people with disabilities; encouraging federal government and federal contractors to employ people with disabilities; ending federal policies that allow subminimum wages to be paid to people with disabilities; and establishing a National Commission on People with Disabilities, Employment & Social Security.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Labor - Dept of (DOL)
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 |
Pegg (Margaret) |
Hathaway |
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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
See next page and see also HCR - Health Care Issues.
Community Choice Act (HR 1670 and S 683) (changed to Community First Choice Option in health reform bills ) end the institutional bias in Medicaid; amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes.
Medicare In the Home restriction (HR 3184 and S 1186) - reintroduction of legislation to reverse the CMS rule that Medicare will pay for wheelchairs only as needed in the home rather than as needed for the individual to go to medical appointments, go to the pharmacy and grocery store, attend worship services, accompany children to school and other activities, vote and otherwise be independent and participate in the community.
HR 2390, the Guidance, Understanding and Information for Dual Eligibles (GUIDE) Act to provide one-on-one counseling to people with cognitive impairments navigate and protect their rights with regard to the confusing Part D Prescription Drug Benefit Program authorized under the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003.
S 700/HR 1708 to end the waiting period for Medicare for people who qualify for Title II Social Security disability benefits and people with life-threatening conditions.
DME Competitive Bidding - Met with and communicated with the Medicare Ombudsman office to discuss implementation of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program to make the transition as easy as possible for members who are Medicare beneficiaries.
S 1630 to amend Medicare to improve prescription drug coverage under Medicare part D and to amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve prescription drug coverage under private health insurance.
HR 3631 Medicare Premium Fairness Act Makes premiums for Medicare Part B and the related monthly actuarial rate the same as those for 2009 for all Medicare enrollees, notwithstanding no COLAs (Cost of Living Adjustments).
Urged legislation to clarify that state Medicaid plans must ensure the provision of mandated care and Services to needy individuals not simply reimburse them, if they manage to obtain such services. (HR 3200 s. 1781(e) (page 826)) Without such a clarifying provision, current trends in the courts could significantly contract the availability of health services to underserved individuals and groups.
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 |
Peggy (Margaret) |
Hathaway |
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Andrew |
Morris |
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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
National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2010 -- extends benefits under the TRICARE and ECHO programs equally for all military family members with significant disabilities rather than selected disabilities.
Met with senior VA officials regarding a VA publication that is offensive to people with disabilities.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Veterans Affairs - Dept of (VA)
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 |
Peggy (Margaret) |
Hathaway |
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Others w less than 20% time |
Others w less than 20% time |
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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 DEF
16. Specific lobbying issues
National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2010 -- extends benefits under the TRICARE and ECHO programs equally for all military family members with significant disabilities rather than selected disabilities.
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 |
Others w less than 20% time |
Others w less than 20% time |
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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.
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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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