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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 200 |
Address2 |
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City | North Bethesda |
State | MD |
Zip Code | 20852-4929 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 2970-12
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6. House ID# 316170000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2020 |
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: DARLENE C DENNIS |
Date | 10/19/2020 3:47:37 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 BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
No bill # - FY 2021 LHHS appropriations: Support funding for Mental Health workforce development programs at HRSA and support continued inclusion of occupational therapy in these programs (BHWET and MBHET).
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 |
Heather |
Parsons |
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Abraham |
Saffer |
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Andrew |
Bopp |
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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
No bill number. Support inclusion of specialized instructional support personnel into title 2 of Higher Education Act.
HR 3637/S 2747 - The Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act of 2019: Support legislation to help increase the diversity of the occupational therapy workforce.
HR 2781 - Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act of 2019: Advocated for inclusion of language of HR 3637, Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act: support passage.
S. 2997 - Title VII Health Care Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019: Advocated for inclusion of language of S 2747, Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act: support passage.
S.2248 - HEROES Act: Support passage.
HR 4107 - Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act: Support passage.
HR 2431/S. 2500 - Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2019: Support passage.
No bill # - FY 2021 LHHS appropriations: Support funding for Mental Health workforce development programs at HRSA and support continued inclusion of occupational therapy in these programs (BHWET and MBHET). Support for funding for Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program. Support Full funding for IDEA and Title I funding.
HR 4107 - Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act: support passage.
HR 1878/S. 866 - IDEA Full Funding Bill: support passage
Supported having a minimum six month freeze on student loan payment and resetting interest rates to zero during that time either through regulatory action or in HR 748 - CARES Act.
HR 6201 - Families First Corona Virus Response Act: Supported Increased overall funding to IDEA and ESEA.
HR 748 - Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Oppose additional IDEA and ESEA Waiver authority for Secretary in HR 748 or future legislation. Supported Increased overall funding to IDEA and ESEA
No bill # - possible COVID 4 bill: Educated and advocated for funding for early intervention services, special education, and general education funding.
No bill # - educated and advocated for action on Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) provider shortages during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
HR 6720 - Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act: Supported passage and inclusion of similar language allowing student loan forgiveness for frontline health workers in HR 6800, HEROES Act.
No bill: Educated staff about the role of occupational therapy professionals in supporting return to school (in person and virtual) during COVID-19.
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 |
Heather |
Parsons |
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Abraham |
Saffer |
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Andrew |
Bopp |
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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
No bill # - FY 2021 LHHS appropriations: Support funding for Mental Health workforce development programs at HRSA and support continued inclusion of occupational therapy in these programs (BHWET and MBHET). Support for funding for Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program. Support for Heart and Lung Research. Support for Increased funding for SAMHSA and HRSA programs.
No bill# - Support for Congressional attention to the issue of falls related injuries and falls prevention.
HR 3165/S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act: Support passage.
HR 2781 - Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act of 2019: Advocated for inclusion of language of HR 3637, Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act; support passage.
S 995 Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act: Support passage
HR 3208/S 1755 - REAADI Act - support passage
Asked Congress to address the shortage of personal protective equipment and ensure access to appropriate PPE for healthcare providers - including funding the national strategic stockpile.
HR 6365/3559 -Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act of 2020: Support passage.
No bill # - possible COVID 4 bill: Educated and advocated for funding for early intervention services.
HR 6720 - Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act: Supported passage and inclusion of similar language allowing student loan forgiveness for frontline health workers in HR 6800, HEROES Act.
HR 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Supported expansion to health care providers of Family Medical Leave Benefits included in the bill.
Supported provision of appropriate personal protective equipment for health care providers, including occupational therapy practitioners in any COVID-19 response legislation.
HR 8094 - Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act: Support.
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 |
Heather |
Parsons |
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Abraham |
Saffer |
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Andrew |
Bopp |
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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
HR 3165/S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act: Support passage.
Supported expansion of telehealth services under ERISA plans.
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 |
Heather |
Parsons |
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Abraham |
Saffer |
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Andrew |
Bopp |
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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
HR 3637/S 2747 - The Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act of 2019: Support legislation to help increase the diversity of the occupational therapy workforce.
HR 2781 - Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act of 2019: Advocated for inclusion of language of HR 3637, Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act; support passage.
No bill number: Support funding for Mental Health workforce development programs at HRSA and support continued inclusion of occupational therapy in these programs.
HR 2431/S 2500 - Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2019: Support passage.
No bill # - FY 2021 LHHS appropriations: Support funding for Mental Health workforce development programs at HRSA and support continued inclusion of occupational therapy in these programs (BHWET and MBHET). Support for funding for Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.
No Bill # - possible COVID 4 bill: Advocated for inclusion of healthcare providers in paid sick and family and medical leave benefits passed as part of HR 6201.
HR 6365/3559 -Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act of 2020: Support passage.
S 2248 - Heroes Entering Role of Education Service (HEROES) Act: Support passage.
HR 6800 - Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act - Support inclusion of language allowing student loan forgiveness for frontline health workers.
Advocated for inclusion of occupational therapy practitioners in legislation providing COVID-19 Hazard Pay, including HR 6484-Hazard Pay for the Frontlines During Health Emergencies Act and HR 6709-Coronavirus Frontline Workers Fair Pay Act.
Supported provision of appropriate personal protective equipment for health care providers, including occupational therapy practitioners in any COVID-19 response legislation.
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 |
Heather |
Parsons |
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Abraham |
Saffer |
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Andrew |
Bopp |
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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
None
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 |
Heather |
Parsons |
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Abraham |
Saffer |
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Andrew |
Bopp |
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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
No bill: Support inclusion of occupational therapy services via telehealth under Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage and any demonstration programs such as telehealth within accountable care organizations.
HR 3127/S 1725 - The Home Health Flexibility Act: Support the ability of occupational therapists to conduct the initial and comprehensive assessments for Medicare Home Health cases.
S 518/HR 1948 - Lymphedema Treatment Act - Support passage.
No bill: Advocate for Congressional oversight of new Medicare payment models - PDPM & PDGM.
No bill: Support for Congressional attention to the issue of falls related injuries and falls prevention.
No bill: Advocated to stop proposed cuts to therapy services in the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule.
HR 4932/S 2741 - CONNECT for Health Act of 2019: Support expanded coverage for services provided to Medicare patients via telehealth, including occupational therapy and other therapy services.
HR 1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act (mental health and Medicaid policy): Support passage
S 1754/HR 3215 - The Disaster Relief Medicaid Act (DRMA): Support passage
No bill: Support for Medicare payment for evidence-based programs, led by occupational therapists, that support caregivers for people with dementia.
No bill: Support for Medicare payment for evidence-based programs, led by occupational therapists, to support aging in place.
S 1202 - Independence At Home Act: support passage
HR2408 - Ensuring Access to Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2019: support passage
HR 748, CARES Act: Advocated to include occupational therapy practitioners as eligible Medicare telehealth service providers for both the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency and on a permanent basis.
HR 7154 - Outpatient Therapy Modernization and Stabilization Act: Support passage.
HR 6634 - Emergency COVID Telehealth Response Act: Support introduction and passage.
No bill #: Support for waiving statutory budget neutrality requirements, or exempting certain provider specialties from the application of budget neutrality, for the implementation of new Evaluation and Management Codes in the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and inclusion of this waiver in any COVID-19 legislation.
HR 6365/3559 -Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act of 2020: Support passage.
CMS - Met with CMS to discuss Medicare Part B payment reductions to therapy provider payments proposed in the 2021 physician fee schedule: Participants included Demetrios Kouzoukas, Director of Medicare.
S. 4375 - Telehealth Modernization Act: Support , particularly for provisions that would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to permanently add occupational therapy practitioners to the Medicare telehealth benefit.
Support various House and Senate proposals to extend and make permanent the Public Health Emergency provisions that enable occupational therapists to provide services to Medicare patients via telehealth.
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 |
Heather |
Parsons |
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Abraham |
Saffer |
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Andrew |
Bopp |
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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
S.2248 - Heroes Entering Role of Education Services (HEROES) Act: Support passage.
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 |
Heather |
Parsons |
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Abraham |
Saffer |
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Andrew |
Bopp |
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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:
Name | Address |
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:
Name | Address |
Principal place of business (city and state or country) |
Amount of contribution for lobbying activities | Ownership percentage in client | ||||||||||
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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
1 | 3 | 5 |
2 | 4 | 6 |
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?
Lobbyist Name | Description of Offense(s) |