Do You Know Where We Stand?

By UOAA Advocacy Manager Jeanine Gleba

Under UOAA’s national advocacy program we develop position papers on topics concerning people living with an ostomy or continent diversion. This official “position” is formally approved by the Board of Directors. These important documents might give background information, description of the impact on our community, and in some cases, advocate for change. 

These papers also provide a perspective into UOAA’s views, and can be used by you, to strengthen your own self-advocacy efforts. Individuals and UOAA Affiliated Support Groups can use them when talking to key decision-makers such as your elected officials, the media, or anyone who wants to know more about where UOAA stands on the topic/issue. 

UOAA currently has position statements available on the following advocacy efforts:

Disability Integration Act (DIA) (S117/HR555) – This civil rights bipartisan legislation would require insurance providers to cover community-based health care services for people with disabilities as an alternative to institutionalization. The DIA would ensure that people could not be prematurely forced into nursing facilities because they couldn’t get assistance with health-related tasks such as maintenance and use of a stable ostomy. This is a good thing and we support it! UOAA’s position is here. 

Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program – UOAA is actively working to maintain the current Medicare reimbursement system for ostomy and urological products. Currently ostomy and urological supplies are not included in the Competitive Bidding Program and we want to keep it that way. UOAA’s full opposition is here. 

Opioid Crisis – UOAA wants to ensure that any plan, especially legislatively or regulatorily, to address the opioid crisis considers the needs of those who require the use of opioids for non-pain treatments of medical conditions such as high output stomas for some people living with an ostomy or fecal continent diversion. UOAA’s position is here. 

Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act (S668/HR1570) – This act would eliminate cost-sharing for initial and follow-up colorectal cancer screening tests such as removal of polyps for Medicare beneficiaries. Cost-savings for senior citizens and move lives saved is a no-brainer. UOAA’s position is here.

All of our position statements are available for download and printing on our advocacy webpage.  We encourage our community to frequently check this page as efforts get updated or closed, and new issues may arise.