85S12159 JCD-D
By: Nevárez H.C.R. No. 32
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Many Americans living with speech and communication
disabilities rely on speech-generating devices to transmit
messages to loved ones and care providers; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, the U.S. Congress increased the
accessibility of speech-generating devices by passing the Steve
Gleason Act, which created a temporary exception to a rental cap
placed on durable medical equipment by the Medicare program; before
this legislation was enacted, beneficiaries of SGDs were required
to rent such devices for a 13-month period before ownership, and
Medicare funding ceased if a patient took up residence at a nursing
home, hospice, or hospital during that time; and
WHEREAS, Under the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act of 2017,
Title XVIII of the Social Security Act would be amended to make
permanent the removal of the SGD rental cap; the three-year
exception is currently scheduled to expire in October 2018, which
would severely limit those suffering from such neurodegenerative
diseases as ALS, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis from
maintaining long-term use of technology that affords them the
ability to communicate; and
WHEREAS, Speech-generating devices have allowed some of the
most vulnerable among us to experience a greater quality of life,
and it is imperative for the federal government to preserve the
Medicare rental cap exception in order to prevent any disruption in
access to such vital resources; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas,
1st Called Session, hereby respectfully urge the United States
Congress to pass the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act of 2017; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.