View this email in your browser<http://mailchi.mp/afb/keep-calm-advocate-on-actions-taken-next-steps-needed-to-protect-promote-education-for-students-with-visual-impairments-497065?e=2094bc8783> [American Foundation for the Blind logo: Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB DirectConnect - 1401 South Clark Stree, Suite 730, Arlington, VA 22202, Tel 202.469.6831 www.afb.org] Speakers Announced for October 4th National Teleseminar! "RESOLVED -- Medicare Should Pay for Low Vision Devices: Views Through Different Lenses" A national teleseminar hosted by the American Foundation for the Blind & the 21st Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss Sponsored by VFO [VFO Logo: VFO, Innovating in Accessibility] Wednesday, October 4, 2017, 3pm Eastern To join the call: Dial: 1 (866) 939-3921 Enter code: 45490371 For further information, contact: Mark Richert, Esq. Director, Public Policy, AFB (202) 469-6833 MRichert@afb.net<mailto:MRichert@afb.net> We are pleased to announce that the upcoming teleseminar will feature an excellent panel of experts and advocates from across the spectrum of concerns about permanent Medicare coverage for low vision devices: * Mark G. Ackermann, M.A.<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=c5437588e7&e=2094bc8783>, Executive Vice President & COO, Lighthouse Guild, New York * Dawn K. DeCarlo, O.D., M.S., MSPH, FAAO<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=87df18e882&e=2094bc8783>, Chair, American Academy of Optometry (AAO) Low Vision Section; Director, Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation, University of Alabama School of Medicine * Neva Fairchild, M.S.<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=1145fe937a&e=2094bc8783>, Chair, AER Division on Aging<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=6765fc61d3&e=2094bc8783>; National Independent Living and Employment Specialist, AFB Center on Vision Loss * Joseph Fontenot, M.D., CLVT<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=3b8296fa6e&e=2094bc8783>, Chair, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Vision Rehabilitation Committee; Medical Director, Community Services for Vision Rehabilitation, Alabama and Mississippi * Bhavani Iyer, O.D., Chair, American Optometric Association (AOA) Vision Rehab Committee<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=5ade0731b8&e=2094bc8783> * Kelly Lusk, Ph.D, CLVT, Chair, AER Low Vision Rehabilitation Division<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=985d29f80c&e=2094bc8783>; Cincinnati Children's Vision Rehabilitation Program (CCVRP) * Tony Stephens, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, American Council of the Blind<http://afb.us11.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=848cccb342&e=2094bc8783> * Peter W. Thomas, Esq.<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=3239431420&e=2094bc8783>, Principal, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, Government Relations/Legislative On Wednesday afternoon, October 4, at 3pm Eastern, join the panel for a lively discussion about permanent Medicare coverage for low vision devices. With the generous sponsorship of our friends at VFO(tm)<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=9fb0247903&e=2094bc8783>, a global company innovating in accessibility, you will have the opportunity to hear what the experts and advocates have to say, assess for yourself whether you agree with their diverse perspectives, and engage with them to make your own case and learn how you can contribute effectively in the shared goal of getting appropriate and affordable equipment and training into the hands of every person with vision loss who may need it. For decades, the vision loss community has argued that our nation's public health care systems, particularly Medicare and Medicaid, are failing people who are blind or visually impaired because of their stark lack of comprehensive coverage for vision rehabilitation services and devices. Particularly with respect to low vision aids, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued rules which currently bar any coverage for devices that incorporate a lens, citing a lack of Congressional authorization for such coverage. Consumer advocates in the vision loss community (including AFB) are calling for CMS to assess the fiscal impact of permanent Medicare coverage for low vision devices through a congressionally-mandated demonstration project. Proponents argue that CMS's willingness to pay for rehabilitative devices and services to address a host of disabling conditions but not for vision loss is a discriminatory practice and a fundamental inequity in our national approach to public health. Nevertheless, other passionate and prominent professionals are vocalizing reservations. These advocates worry about the impact of CMS coverage on device cost, corporate profit, and ultimately the out-of-pocket burden on consumers who purchase devices outside of the Medicare system. Likewise, concerned physicians and other conscientious practitioners worry that indiscriminate availability of low vision devices through Medicare could place inappropriate devices in the hands of unsuspecting consumers and tempt unscrupulous providers into pushing the priciest equipment irrespective of consumer need. Please join by dialing (866) 939-3921, and entering code 45490371, a few minutes before 3 pm on October 4, and share this announcement far and wide via your own networks. We hope that this friendly but frank conversation will help the vision loss community further develop an actionable consensus for achieving systems change toward a world with no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. We look forward to your participation! [https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-facebook-48.png]<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=266452d41a&e=2094bc8783> [https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-link-48.png]<http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=ea08c1aa4b&e=2094bc8783>