Yesterday, the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) was pleased to co-sponsor a bi-partisan congressional briefing on “The Value of Rehabilitation and Habilitation Services and Devices”. This briefing highlighted the impact of rehabilitation and habilitation services and therapies and the impact of prosthetics, orthotics, durable medical equipment, and other assistive devices. Speakers included Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Eric LeGrand, a former Rutgers football star with a spinal cord injury, Roseann Sdoia, a Boston bombing survivor and Lisa Smith, mother of Isabella who is a child with developmental disabilities who uses speech therapy. This briefing was done as a part of three coalitions of which AAHD is a member: the Habilitation Benefits Coalition, the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation and the ITEM Coalition (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicaid and Medicare). These coalitions released a press release highlighting the events of the day. Highlights of the different speeches can also be viewed on YouTube through the following links:

• Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) Discusses the Value of Her Rehabilitation
• Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) Discusses the Value of Rehabilitation
• Eric LeGrand, Former Rutgers University Football Star with Spinal Cord Injury, Discusses the Value of His Rehabilitation
• Boston Marathon Bombing survivor Roseann Sdoia Discusses the Value of Her Rehabilitation
• Lisa Smith Discusses the Value of Speech Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy her Daughter Received
• Gregory J. O’Shanick, MD, President and Medical Director of the Center for Neurorehabilitation Services, Speaks about the Value of Rehabilitation and Habilitation
• Peter Thomas Discusses the Impact of the Recent Senate Bill on Rehabilitation and Habilitation