Bidding bill clears another huge hurdle
By HME News Staff
Updated Mon March 16, 2015
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday sided with the HME industry and passed a bill that would reform the competitive bidding program.
After 40 minutes of debate, representatives voted to pass H.R. 284, which would require, among other things, binding bids and proof of licensure.
The House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 26 marked up and unanimously voted to pass H.R. 284.
Then the Congressional Budget Office on March 12 released a statement saying it believes, if passed, H.R. 284 would increase revenues by about $1 million from 2015-2025.
Reps. Patrick Tiberi, R-Ohio, and John Larson, D-Conn., introduced H.R. 284 on Jan. 12. It has 63 co-sponsors.
With a bill passed in the House, industry stakeholders are now zeroing in on the Senate. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Ben Cardin, D-Md., introduced S. 148 on Jan. 12. It has five co-sponsors.
“AAHomecare is lobbying both the House and Senate on behalf of the industry, and is already moving on the Senate version, which will be the next step,” the association stated in a bulletin to members. “AAHomecare will alert the industry when grassroots action is needed.”
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