[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5641]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           STEVE GLEASON ACT

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I support the Steve Gleason Act, which 
passed the Senate last week. I would especially like to thank Senator 
Vitter for championing this important legislation that will ensure 
patients on Medicare have access to critical speech-generating devices.
  I am so glad that we were able to come together to pass this 
bipartisan bill and take an important step toward giving patients their 
voices back.
  For Americans affected by debilitating diseases, speech-generating 
devices aren't a luxury--they are a lifeline. Without these devices, 
many people who are suffering from diseases like ALS and Parkinson's 
can't communicate with their family members, caregivers and friends. 
Many patients use their devices in conjunction with eye gaze technology 
because they no longer have use of their hands, arms, and other parts 
of their body. And these new technologies allow patients to use the 
Internet and email--technologies most us take for granted but are 
crucial to help keep patients connected with their communities.
  Unfortunately, recent policy changes have threatened patients' access 
to these important devices and associated technologies.
  Under the new policy, Medicare will stop paying for speech-generating 
devices if a patient is admitted to a hospital, nursing facility, or 
hospice. It is at this time that patients are most vulnerable and most 
in need of being able to communicate with their doctors, caregivers, 
and loved ones.
  I have heard heartbreaking stories of patients who have lost their 
ability to communicate when they enter a care facility. One person told 
of having to put her mother in hospice care. When her mother entered 
hospice, Medicare would no longer cover her mother's device. The 
daughter was devastated that she could no longer understand what her 
mother was saying. She could tell how frustrated her mother was by this 
new isolation, but she was helpless to do anything about it.
  I have also heard from people who have decided to forego treatment in 
hospice or a nursing home because they would rather suffer at home than 
lose their voice. This is simply unacceptable.
  That is why I have worked with Senator Vitter to restore full access 
to speech-generating devices for those who need them.
  The Steve Gleason Act will ensure that patients have continuous 
access to their speech-generating devices, no matter where they are 
receiving treatment. And the bill will allow patients to use eye-
tracking technology with their devices--technology that is vital for 
patients who can no longer use their arms or hands.
  Ultimately, these changes will ensure that Americans who have been 
robbed of their ability to speak by diseases like ALS aren't also 
robbed of relationships with their caregivers and loved ones.
  Again, I thank my colleagues in the Senate for passing this important 
bill and I urge the House to pass this legislation and give patients 
their voices back.

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