A companion bill to H.R. 5371 — the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, which would provide a path for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade their ultralightweight wheelchair frames — has been introduced in the Senate. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced S. 5154 on Sept. 24, the day of the legislative fly-in…
Senate Companion Bill Introduced for Ultralightweight Frame Upgrade
AAHomecare Focuses on H.R. 5371 at Congressional Fly-In
The Choices for Increased Mobility bill would provide a way for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade to carbon fiber and titanium ultralightweight wheelchair frames.
Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) stakeholders at a Sept. 10 Congressional fly-in urged Congress to support H.R. 5371, a bill to provide Medicare beneficiaries a path for upgrading their ultralightweight wheelchair frames to carbon fiber or titanium at their own cost. In a Sept. 18 news announcement, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) reported that advocates…
Sunrise Medical Launches Below-the-Seat Empulse R90 Power Assist
The location of the new device preserves the wheelchair’s original footprint and turning radius.
Sunrise Medical’s newest power-assist system sits under the manual wheelchair’s seat to preserve the chair’s original footprint and turning radius while retaining great maneuverability. The manufacturer officially launched the Empulse R90 in a Sept. 9 news announcement. “The patent-pending V-Lock is a tapered latch that securely docks the R90 to the receiver on the chair,”…
Briefly: Senate Companion Bill to H.R. 5371 Expected Soon; Paris Closes Paralympics Games
Featuring AAHomecare, Medtrade, and the International Paralympic Committee.
Report: Sen. Marsha Blackburn to Introduce Ultralightweight Upgrade Bill Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is preparing to introduce a Senate bill “that would restore access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries and for individuals covered by plans that follow Medicare policy and coding,” according to a report from the American Association for Homecare…
Advocates to Lobby for H.R. 5371 at Two September Fly-Ins
Both legislative events will focus on ultralightweight frame upgrades for Medicare beneficiaries.
Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) stakeholders will focus on building Congressional support for H.R. 5371, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, at two Washington, D.C., fly-ins in September. The Sept. 9-10 legislative event is being led by the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare). The Sept. 24 fly-in is being hosted by the National Coalition for Assistive…
Briefly: TiLite Celebrates Silver Anniversary; Germany’s Sesame Street Introduces Muppet in Wheelchair
Featuring Permobil, TiLite, and Sesame Street.
TiLite Celebrates 25th Anniversary TiLite, Permobil’s brand of ultralightweight wheelchairs, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. TiLite wheelchairs, under the TiSport manufacturer name, went on sale in 1999. In 2014, the company was acquired by Permobil. Permobil currently offers TiLite frames in aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. TiLite chairs, known for their custom configurability, are available…
Permobil CR1 Wins Design Awards
Principal Product Manager Doug Garven designed the ultralightweight wheelchair over a five-year period.
Permobil’s TiLite CR1 ultralightweight wheelchair and its designer, Permobil Principal Product Manager Doug Garven, have won two international awards. In a June 11 news announcement, Permobil said Garven and the CR1 won gold in the A’Design Award & Competition’s 2023-2024 Product Engineering and Technical Design Award category. The A’Design Award is described as “an international,…
NCART, US Rehab Set Sept. 24 Fly-In Date
The in-person event in Washington, D.C., will rally support for Complex Rehab Technology issues.
The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) and U.S. Rehab will cohost a Washington, D.C. legislative event on Sept. 24. In its newsletter issued May 30, NCART described the event as taking place in person and “focusing on educating members of Congress about the current economic issues challenging NCART members as they focus…
Reporter’s Notebook: 5 ‘First Looks’ at Abilities Expo L.A.
Editor Laurie Watanabe on new seating and wheeled mobility for 2024.
As much as I appreciate a great product demonstration video — and there are some excellent ones out there — Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) is a kick-the-tires sort of industry. Nothing replaces the ability to personally lay hands on seating and wheeled mobility: to lift an ultralightweight frame, to fold a folding wheelchair, to swing…
Top Trends & Headlines for Complex Rehab Technology in 2024
Building on successes and addressing unfinished business.
With every new year come new possibilities, and 2024 seems especially full of promise for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), which looks to build on a landmark Medicare funding win last year. Still, the year will bring challenges as well, and plenty of unfinished business. Funding for seat elevation gets underway In May 2023, the formal…