Steve Gleason Act

Floor Speech

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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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