Calling the entire HME industry: Read this immediately and please help stop competitive bidding
By Mike Moran
Updated Mon March 29, 2010
It's mission critical on the competitive bidding front, and the industry needs every single provider, consultant, manufacturers reps—all industry stakeholders—to help end this wrong-headed program once and for all.
The need is more urgent than ever.
The healthcare reform legislation signed into law last week accelerates the bidding program. It expands bidding to 21 additional metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and applies prices nationwide by 2016.
Nationwide means you!
How can you help? Easy. Contact your U.S. representatives (congressmen) and ask them to sponsor HR 3790, a bill to repeal competitive bidding.
I've included some links below (take your pick) with (1.) talking points that explain why competitive bidding is a bad idea; and (2) how to contact your representative.
Currently, the bill has 184 co-sponsors, but industry leaders are shooting for 250 to 260. I know everyone is busy, but to reach the magic number, it's critical that everyone lend a hand. (For providers, it would really help if you got your patients to join this fight, too.)
We're all in this together, and that includes HME News. We're proud to say that thanks to the efforts of the New England Medical Equipment Dealers association, our two Maine representatives have signed on to co-sponsor the bill.
Together we can do this.
— Mike Moran
Below are the steps for contacting your representatives:
Check here to see if your representative has signed on to H.R. 3790. Thank those who have already signed on, and ask for support only from those who have yet to sign onto the bill.
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to speak with your representative. You will be asked for your ZIP code and then transferred to the office of your representative. You may also call them direct by clicking here for a list of Health LAs and phone numbers.
Ask to speak with the Health Legislative Assistant. Once you are speaking to the assistant, follow the instructions provided below:
"My name is (name) and I am a home medical equipment suppliers serving patients in your district. I am calling to ask that the Congressman (or Congresswoman) to cosponsor H.R. 3790, which is a budget neutral
repeal of durable medical equipment competitive bidding program.
H.R. 3790 will achieve the same savings without needlessly closing 90% of medical equipment company providers, of which most are small businesses, eliminating jobs for thousands of Americans, and limiting Medicare beneficiaries' access to care.
Thank you"
If you chose to send your request via email or fax, use the following sample text.
Whether you call, fax, or email, please follow-up with a phone call in a week if they have not signed on, using the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
Talking Points/Studies:
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