|
Disability community, it's time to ACT.
There are two bills in our legislature right now
(HB22-1290 and HB22-1031) that must be passed.
Both bills will make it MUCH EASIER for
community members to have WHEELCHAIRS REPAIRED.
CCDC and partners are referring to the bills as
the "Right to Repair" bills,
and both are being heard in house committees
THIS TUESDAY, March 22nd.
There are three actions you should take between now and Tuesday to help get these bills signed into law:
1) Contact your district's House Representative and tell them to vote YES on these bills;
2) Contact the Committee Members who are hearing these bills on Tuesday and tell them to vote YES on these bills; and/or
3) Testify this Tuesday in person or remotely on the importance of one or both of these bills.
Below is all the information you will need to take action on these bills that, if passed, will empower our community to repair their wheelchairs easily and safely.
Learn about the Right to Repair bills here:
HB22-1290 is also known as the "Changes To Medicaid For Wheelchair Repairs" bill. This bill prohibits Medicaid from requiring prior authorization (PAR) for any repair of complex rehabilitation technology (CRT), such as powered wheelchairs. Click HERE to learn about HB22-1290, and click HERE as well to find a fact sheet/talking points created by CCDC explaining this bill and why it is important.
HB22-1031 is also known as the "Consumer Right To Repair Powered Wheelchairs" bill. This bill will give both people who own power wheelchairs and independent repair providers the ability to conduct maintenance and repair services to power wheelchairs. Click HERE to learn about HB22-1031, and click HERE as well to find a fact sheet/talking points created by CCDC explaining this bill and why it is important.
How to take action on both of the Right to Repair bills:
One option for action:
- Call, text, or email your CO House Representative and tell them to VOTE YES on BOTH bills HB22-1290 and HB22-1031. Explain that both will be heard in committee this Tuesday March 22nd, and share with them briefly about why this bill should be passed and how it will improve your life or the life of someone you care about.
- To contact your district's House Representative, use this link:
Find My Legislator | Colorado General Assembly
Second option for action:
- Contact the Committee Members that will hear these bills on Tuesday, and tell them to VOTE YES on the bill to be heard. Again, you can share with them briefly about why this bill should be passed and how it will improve your life or the life of someone you care about.
- Please note that, the Right to Repair bills are being heard by different committees!
- To contact Committee Members who are hearing HB22-1290, the "Changes To Medicaid For Wheelchair Repairs" bill, click HERE. Then, click on the picture of the Committee Member you wish to contact to find their email and phone number.
- To contact Committee Members who are hearing HB22-1031, the "Consumer Right To Repair Powered Wheelchairs" bill, click HERE. Then, click on the picture of the Committee Member you wish to contact to find their email and phone number.
Third option for action:
- Testify in support of one or both of the bills this Tuesday!! You can testify in person at the State Capitol Building OR remotely via Zoom! If you want to testify, please contact CCDC's Durable Medical Equipment Advocate, Jeanette Hensley, at jhensley@ccdconline.org, and she can assist you with this process. You can also contact CCDC's Legislative Coordinator, Kenny Maestas, at kmaestas@ccdconline.org with questions you may have.
- If you are familiar with how to testify and want to sign yourself up to do so, remember that you MUST sign up ahead of Tuesday to participate! Please click on this link which allows you to register to testify in person or remotely: https://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2022A/commsumm.nsf/signIn.xsp.
- If you are interested in testifying in person, here is accessibility information:
- The south ground level public entrance of the State Capitol (14th Avenue and Sherman Street) is wheelchair accessible. Information about building accessibility and parking can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/node/1020196/
- If you are in need of auxiliary aids or sign language interpreters, please contact Debbie Gunlien at 303-866-3521, as soon as possible, to make arrangements for those services.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding either of the Right to Repair bills, what they mean, and/or how to take action to support them, please contact CCDC's Jeanette Hensley at jhensley@ccdconline.org or at 303-839-1775
as soon as possible.
|
