Steve Gleason Act passes through House of Representatives
A bill named after former New Orleans Saints special teams ace Steve Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, passed a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.
[Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football: Sign up and join a league today!l]
The Steve Gleason Act, which will make technology more available to patients with ALS and other neurological disorders through Medicare and Medicaid, now just requires the signature of President Barack Obama to be passed into law.
In a statement released through his “Team Gleason” foundation’s website, Gleason said the legislation represents an entire community, not just himself.
Last year sweeping changes were made at Medicare. I was shocked to learn that those changes would include Medicare stripping communication devices (SGDs) from people whose only means of communication was those very devices. In a Washington Post op-ed, I called it a human rights violation.
We saw it happen far too many times. People who wished to live productively, denied access to the one tool that could liberate them. People in hospice, who had their SGDs seized, so their last words to their loved ones were mere silence.
Thankfully, legislative leaders like Senator David Vitter, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Congressman Erik Paulsen, Congressman Steve Scalise and many others, saw this tragedy and they intervened. These leaders stepped up on behalf of those who couldn’t take action themselves. At the time, the Steve Gleason Act seemed like a long shot. It was given only a 2% chance of passing, but the ALS community never waved the white flag. That was not an option.
With help from this extraordinary ALS community of patients and caregivers, as well as advocates like The Center for Medicare Advocacy, we made some noise. A lot of noise. People, like myself, who are literally voiceless, were heard. Loud and clear.
This legislation may have my name on it, but please know it is the ALS community and the diligent legislators who deserve our applause.
#NoWhiteFlags #NotQuietly
– Steve Gleason
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the brain’s inability to control muscle movement. After his diagnosis, Gleason started Team Gleason to help other patients with neuromuscular disorders.
Through the efforts of the foundation, the “Team Gleason House for Innovative Living” was founded in New Orleans. The house, one of two in the United States, helps patients with ALS and similar disorders to live more comfortably and independently.
Gleason played safety for the Saints from 2000-2007 and was most known on the football field for his blocked punt in the team’s first game in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.
The play is commemorated with a statue outside the stadium.
– – – – – – –
Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
