With the passage of H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives, attention now turns to the Senate, which has its own version of the bill (S. 247).
Both bills, which are budget neutral, expand access to titanium and carbon fiber ultralightweight wheelchair frames by allowing Medicare beneficiaries to pay only the price of the upgrade. Currently, beneficiaries wanting to upgrade to a titanium or carbon fiber frame must pay the entire cost of the wheelchair up front, then wait for partial Medicare reimbursement.
That significant up-front out-of-pocket cost puts an upgraded frame out of reach for many Medicare beneficiaries.
H.R. 1703 was introduced by Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) in February 2025 and passed the House by voice vote on July 20. The Senate companion bill was introduced in January 2025 by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
“The industry has been working on this bill for many years, and we are happy that this has cleared the House,” said Wayne Grau, executive director of the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART). “Now we are on to the Senate and will get this passed as well. Consumers should have the right to make choices about their healthcare needs, including their medical equipment, to lead their best life.”
“This is an important milestone and brings this legislation one step closer to becoming law,” said Tom Ryan, president/CEO of the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare). “For more than six years, AAHomecare, VGM, NCART, CRT [Complex Rehab Technology] stakeholders, and patient advocacy partners have worked tirelessly to advance this legislation. We’re grateful to everyone across the industry who has shared their stories, contacted lawmakers, and continued to advocate for better access to mobility technology. That persistent advocacy has made today’s progress possible, and we encourage members to keep the pressure on during the August recess so the Senate can act quickly when Congress returns in September.”
