Oregon SCI at Roll on Capitol Hill 2018!
You were represented in Washington, DC for the Roll on Capitol Hill by five Oregonians with spinal cord injuries! Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection is the Portland chapter of the United Spinal Association (USA). Over the past two years, Oregon SCI sent two or three representatives to Washington, DC for the Roll on Capitol Hill (ROCH). United Spinal Association hosts this national advocacy event each year. This time, Oregon SCI showed up strong. Matthew Howard and West Livaudais joined three Oregon-based United Spinal staffers—Brook McCall (Grassroots Advocacy Manager), Seth McBride (New Mobility editor), and Ian Ruder (New Mobility editor).
Oregon Chapter United Spinal advocates meeting w/ Rep Suzanne Bonamici (L-R: West Livaudais, Brook McCall, Seth McBride, Matthew Howard)
ROCH
ROCH is a high-energy, 3–4 day advocacy event. It brings together 100–150 United Spinal members from across the country. Attendees meet experienced advocates and connect with USA members from other regions. They also sharpen their advocacy skills and push for action on urgent legislation. It’s an exciting chance to learn, lead, and make a difference.
United Spinal advocates from across the country arrived on Sunday evening, June 24th. They kicked things off with an orientation and welcome reception. On Monday, we reviewed the top legislative issues. Then we planned our meetings with lawmakers for the next day.
Tuesday, all 100–150 United Spinal members headed to Capitol Hill. Each of us met with our Congressional representatives or their staff. Our goal was clear: explain why specific bills matter and how they impact hundreds of thousands of lives back home. All of us told personal stories. Also, we shared experiences from many of you.
Who We Met
We met with the offices of Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, and Lisa Murkowski. By the end of the day, we were exhausted—but hopeful. We felt confident that most of Oregon’s congressional delegation would support our recommendations.
United States Supreme Court
Get Involved
If you want to be more involved with local or national advocacy, become a United Spinal Association member; it’s FREE! Then contact Dave Pierson, advocacy liaison for Oregon SCI/United Spinal or Brook McCall, United Spinal Grassroots Advocacy Manager to learn about upcoming events and current issues.
We will continue advocating to protect our civil and healthcare rights here in Oregon by planning our first-ever ‘Roll On Salem’ in 2019 for the long Oregon legislative session. If this is something you want to participate in or help plan please contact me at contact@oregonsci.org.
A summary of the top legislative issues we discussed with legislators is included below or you can follow this link to find more information about all the critical issues impacting people with SCI/D:
Support Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (S 1318/HR 5004): legislation that would make traveling more convenient and safer for people with disabilities, especially those with mobility or sensory impairments.
Support Disability Integration Act (S 910/HR 2472): This bill protects the rights of people with disabilities who need long-term support. It stops states and local governments from offering only institutional care. It also blocks insurance providers from denying community-based services. These services help people live independently and stay in their communities.
Oppose ADA Education and Reform Act (HR 620): In February 2018, the US House passed HR 620. This bill limits people with disabilities from enforcing their ADA rights to access public places. It requires individuals to send a notification letter to the business first. Then, the business has 60 days to acknowledge the barrier. After that, it gets another 60 days to make “substantial progress” fixing the problem. This bill forces individuals affected by noncompliance to carry the burden of enforcement.
Support Access to Essential Complex Rehab Wheelchair Components (HR 3730): This bill improves services for people who use customized, lightweight manual wheelchairs. It changes how Medicare and Medicaid pay equipment providers for complex rehab technology and parts. Right now, long waits happen because this equipment is part of the competitive bidding process. The bill would raise reimbursements to—or near—market prices.
