Congressman praises House panel for advancing Gleason Act

U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) praised the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday for approving the Steve Gleason Act.

The legislation, S. 984, would mandate several reforms in Medicare coverage as it relates to patients diagnosed with ALS and their use of Speech Generating Devices (SGD) as a means of communicating. The bill was introduced by U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) and is named for former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011.

“I was honored to meet Steve Gleason earlier this year, when we were able to communicate directly through the use of Steve’s SGD,” Boustany said. “But not all ALS patients who lose the power of speech are so fortunate. Through the Steve Gleason Act, Steve and Team Gleason are working to give a voice to ALS patients across the country. I’m proud to help shepherd this bill through the Ways and Means Committee and look forward to its prompt consideration before the House of Representatives.”

Gleason remains a high-profile activist for ALS research and works to create awareness of the debilitating disease through his ALS advocacy group, Team Gleason.

“Making this equipment more accessible and affordable will help ALS patients communicate with their family and friends – even literally giving them a voice when they lose their ability to speak,” Vitter said. “Most patients can’t afford this advanced technology on top of their other health care costs, but our legislation would fix that and bring this technology to patients across the country.”

The Steve Gleason Act of 2015 makes the following reforms to coverage for SGDs under Medicare:

• Provides immediate relief for patients who have been denied access to SGDs since a rule change in 2014

• Ensures SGDs are classified as medically necessary and are categorized as “routinely purchased” under Medicare

• Reverses the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ capped rental policy to allow patients to own their devices and continue using them in facilities such as nursing homes

• Ensures eye-tracking technology and gaze-interaction accessories are covered under Medicare for ALS patients who have demonstrated these medical needs.