Around the Industry

Sure Grip Shifts Output to Support PPE Prouduction

“Making things that help people. It’s what we do,” said Cody Howell, Operations Manager at Sure Grip. When Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on companies to help make essential equipment to fight COVID-19, the NMEDA member sprung into action. Pairing up with another local company, BBI, the two began producing face shields for local healthcare workers.

Ability Center Installs Shields in Vehicles to Keep Customers Safe

Ability Center, located in Tucson, AZ. recently rolled out barriers that separate the driver and passenger seats from the rest of the vehicle in an effort to support growing safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As we know, many mobility equipment customers face illnesses that put them at higher risk for contracting any virus. These shields provide peace of mind, but may also save a life.

QAP Audit Timeline Extension

As many of you are aware, the current audit cycle was due to be completed by June 30. Due to the extreme challenges our members have been facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the last several months NMEDA and RADCO have been working with dealers to postpone and reschedule audits as needed. Conditions remain uncertain, and, accordingly, staff has asked the NMEDA board of directors to authorize an extension to the current audit cycle.

At its June meeting, the board indicated that all audits for the current cycle are to be completed no later than September 30, 2020. Authorization was also provided to continue to conduct all audits remotely.

RADCO & NMEDA staff will continue to be sensitive to the needs of our members in this trying time; we appreciate your cooperation as we work with you to ensure that this critical aspect of the Quality Assurance Program is completed in a timely manner for all locations, per the board’s directive.

Senate Introduces AUTO for Veterans Act

Legislation authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow qualifying veterans to receive more than one automobile grant has been introduced in the US Senate. The “Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities (AUTO) for Veterans Act” would amend the U.S. Code to permit eligible veterans to receive financial assistance to replace their vehicles every 10 years. This bipartisan legislation is the companion bill to H.R. 5761, which was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year.

If the legislation is passed and signed into law, veterans will no longer be limited to a single lifetime auto grant. Instead, VA will be permitted to authorize multiple auto grants throughout a veteran’s lifetime (similar to how the Special Adaptive Equipment Grant currently functions). Senator Joe Manchin, one of the bill’s sponsors, states: “Our paralyzed Veterans live with the constant reminder of their personal sacrifices made to keep their fellow Americans safe. They fought for our freedoms and deserve support here at home. I am proud to introduce the bipartisan AUTO Act with Senator Collins to provide our paralyzed Veterans with a new vehicle grant every 10 years instead of the current program which provides one vehicle grant in their lifetime.”

NMEDA joins Paralyzed Veterans of America and other veterans service organizations in supporting passage of the AUTO Act. With approximately 60 legislative days remaining in this Congress, we will keep members updated on efforts to advance this important legislation.