“I want the House to pass this bill. It clarifies Medicare payment rules for manual wheelchairs.”

“Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1703) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify payment rules for manual wheelchairs under part B of the Medicare program, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:”

“I am giving my time to Representative Joyce to speak.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), my good friend, the sponsor of this legislation, a valuable member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and head of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It lets Medicare patients pay extra money from their own pockets to upgrade to lighter wheelchairs made of titanium or carbon fiber, without costing the government more money.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act. This important piece of legislation clarifies the payment rules for manual wheelchairs under Medicare part B. The bill allows Medicare patients the choice to decide whether a titanium or a carbon-fiber wheelchair is right for them, giving patients the option to pay out of pocket for wheelchair upgrades if that is their choice. To restore this choice for Medicare patients, this bill creates two new wheelchair codes and enables upgrades within existing codes. Importantly, this will remove barriers to patients, allowing the patient to access the upgraded benefit at no additional cost to CMS. We must remove obstacles that prevent patients from taking full advantage of their Medicare benefits and give them the freedom to choose the equipment that is right for the patient, a decision that has profound impacts on their individual lives. This bipartisan legislation will remove the barrier that has impeded access to lightweight wheelchair options for individuals with mobility impairments since 2016. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to see this important bill come to the House floor today, and I urge my colleagues to support it.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It helps people on Medicare get better wheelchairs to move around more easily.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1703, led by my good friend who previously spoke, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce). Medicare beneficiaries should not be limited in their ability to access the right wheelchair to help them move freely in their daily lives. Ultimately, the payment clarifications in this legislation are intended to improve access to wheelchair upgrades among Medicare beneficiaries who choose to do so. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”