AAHomecare books Congressional champions for conference
By HME News Staff
Updated Thu April 28, 2016
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has lined up Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.,andRenee Ellmers, R-N.C., to speak at the 2016 Washington Legislative Conference, slated for May 25-26 at the Washington Court Hotel.
Rep. Ellmers introduced a bill this week that would halt CMS's plans to make dramatic changes to coverage for prosthetic devices, while Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced a bill last year that would require prior authorizations for certain high-cost DME, including oxygen.
In addition, a general session on May 25 will feature a panel discussion about issues affecting rural providers. The panel, moderated by John Gallagher, vice president of government relations at VGM, and Rose Schafhauser, executive director of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services, will address the challenges associated with serving patients in rural areas, and how to communicate these issues to patients and policymakers.
“Conference attendees should make a point to attend the rural panel session, whether or not your company is in a rural area,” said Karyn Estrella, executive director of the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England, in an AAHomecare bulletin. “Getting first-hand accounts of the challenges these companies face will be important to convey during your Hill visits.”
As part of the conference, AAHomecare is coordinating Capitol Hill visits to lobby lawmakers on industry issues, include a bill to delay an upcoming second round of Medicare cuts in non-bid areas.
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