HME bills move to full committee 

WASHINGTON – The Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee in the House of Representatives has approved two HME-related bills, AAHomecare has reported. 

The bills, The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555) and The Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 5371), will now move to the full E&C Committee for consideration in the coming weeks, the association says.  

“This is a major step forward for our priority legislation in the House,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO. “The HME community’s persistent grassroots advocacy and three separate legislative events, including Monday’s Virtual Hill Day, have raised the visibility of both our policy priorities and our important role in the health care continuum.”   

• H.R. 5555 would extend the 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rates in non-competitive bidding areas and provide a 90/10 blended rate in bid areas; and  

• H.R. 5371 would allow an upgrade within a code for carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs. 

During the consideration of the bills, several legislators noted that they had recently heard from HME providers on the two bills, according to AAHomecare. 

"It's clear we're making a difference here, but we'll need to keep the pressure on to make sure we have strong buy-in across the full Energy & Commerce Committee and other influential legislators in House and Senate throughout the remainder of the year,” Ryan said. “I'm confident HME advocates are ready to do what it takes to bring home some wins for our industry.” 

H.R. 5555, introduced Sept. 19 by Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., is a companion bill to S.1294, introduced April 27 by Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.