WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Steve Gleason Act, a bill which will help support patients diagnosed with diseases like Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to live more independent lives by making speech generating devices (SGDs) more accessible. Both Senators Collins and King are original cosponsors of the bill, which the Senate passed unanimously in April and will now head to the President’s desk for signature.

“The passage of this legislation is a true testament to Steve Gleason’s tenacity and commitment on behalf of the ALS community,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Speech generation devices help restore a voice to the voiceless, and as we continue to work towards a cure for ALS, we can help empower those struggling with the disease to live more independently by making these devices easier to obtain. This is a victory for the ALS community and we will be proud to see it become law.” 

The Steve Gleason Act of 2015 will make the following reforms:

• Give immediate relief for patients who have been denied access to SGDs by a rule change which reclassified certain medical equipment – particularly speech devices – into a different category, making them more expensive.
• Reverse the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) capped rental policy to allow patients to own their devices and continue using them in facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes.
• Ensure eye tracking technology and gaze interaction accessories are covered under Medicare for ALS patients with demonstrated medical needs.

Gleason, a former special teams standout for the New Orleans Saints, has been determined to inspire others diagnosed with ALS to live a rewarding life, and to inspire new medical developments to ultimately find a cure for the disease. Since his diagnosis, Gleason and his family and friends have raised ALS awareness and funding through the organization Team Gleason. After years of battling the disease, Gleason has been confined to a wheel chair and lost his ability to speak. He was able to regain his ability to communicate through his speech generating device.

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