In brief: RFK Jr. in as HHS Sec, Schafhauser in as Homecare Champ, Carter in as OxyGo CEO
By HME News Staff
Updated 10:20 AM CST, Fri February 14, 2025
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in a largely party-line vote of 52-48.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was the lone Republican to vote no.
Kennedy will replace Acting Secretary Dorothy Fink in overseeing the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and CMS.
While Kennedy made a name for himself during the election for his focus on the safety of vaccines and the dangers of over-processed foods, it’s largely unknown what his plans are for Medicare and Medicaid.
The National Community Pharmacists Association, for one, says it is eager to work with Kennedy on pharmacy benefit manager reform, something he said he supported during the confirmation process.
“He has shown a willingness to take on the corporations like big health insurance on behalf of citizens and small businesses,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist. “Small business-owned pharmacies are disappearing, and pharmacy deserts are forming, because of the business practices of Big Insurance and their PBM subsidiaries, and we very much hope Kennedy and the Trump administration will support our effort to rein in these bad actors.”
Kennedy is expected to be sworn into office at the White House this afternoon.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted to X: “We are going to Make America Health Again.”
Schafhauser named 2025 Homecare Champion
DALLAS – Rose Schafhauser, the executive director of MAMES and SWMESA, has been named the 2025 Van Miller Homecare Champion.
Schafhauser began her HME career as a supplier, building a working knowledge of Medicare as a claims processor, and then later as general manager of Healtheast Med Home.
“For over four decades, Rose has served the HME community with unwavering dedication, passion, and leadership,” said Tom Ryan, president & CEO of AAHomecare. “This recognition honors her incredible contributions to the HME industry, as well as her steadfast commitment to priority policy initiatives at both the federal and state levels.”
Schafhauser is involved with several boards and committees, including the Jurisdiction A, B and C Councils, the National Supplier Clearinghouse Advisory Committee (NSCAC), and AAHomecare’s Executive Committee and the State Leaders Council (past chair).
“I am truly humbled to be recognized as the 2025 Van Miller Homecare Champion and to share this award with the incredible past winners and nominees,” said Schafhauser. “Having spent my entire 40-year career in the HME industry, I have been blessed to have learned from and work with the very best our industry has to offer. They have all contributed to driving my passion for serving the people I am so lucky to work with every day.”
Other finalists were Beth Bowen, executive director of ACMESA; Bill Fredericks, president & CEO of Allcare Medical Supply; and Bill Guidetti, executive vice president, sales & operations for Apria.
Schafhauser will be honored at the AAHomecare Update at Medtrade on Feb. 19 at 2:15 p.m.
OxyGo taps new CEO
ORLANDO, Fla. – OxyGo has named Chris Carter as CEO to drive growth and innovation for OxyGo and its sister companies, Applied Home Healthcare Equipment and LIFE Corp. Carter, who was named COO of OxyGo in May 2024, has an extensive background in strategic operations and process optimization. Previously, he was COO-Americas for TP Aerospace for five years and senior director of operations for Invacare for 17 years. Carter’s appointment is part of an ongoing restructuring and streamlining process at Marquard Ventures Project, a shared services organization that will provide strategic guidance and operational support across all businesses. Victoria Marquard-Schultz, formerly CEO of OxyGo, will transition to CEO of Marquard Ventures.
NikoHealth integrates with AI platforms
MIDDLETOWN, New Jersey — NikoHealth, a provider of cloud-based DME/HME management software, is enabling seamless integration with AI innovators like Tennr, CompliantRx, Notable Systems, Celeritas and Synthpop, creating an ecosystem of next-generation tools that streamline workflows, enhance patient care and drive measurable growth for DME providers. By integrating directly with these AI partners, NikoHealth can enhance workflow efficiency and streamline operations, helping providers:
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Automate repetitive tasks, reduce manual effort and free up staff for higher-value work
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Streamline document processing and medical record reviews
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Minimize administrative burdens and accelerate revenue cycles
“At NikoHealth, we’re committed to fostering innovation and collaboration through seamless integrations,” said Michael Kutsak, CEO of NikoHealth. “By partnering with leading AI companies, we’re building a connected ecosystem that empowers DME providers with smarter, faster solutions. These integrations drive real results—enhancing efficiency, reducing administrative burden, and ultimately improving patient care.”
Senseonics files for CE Mark
GERMANTOWN, Md. – Senseonics Holdings has filed for CE Mark registration for the Eversense 365 CGM system, paving the way for commercialization in European Union countries by Acensia Diabetes Care. “Completing the CE Mark submission for Eversense 365 brings us a step closer to improving lives and health outcomes for patients in Europe,” said Tim Goodnow, president and CEO of Senseonics. “Given the success we have had to date with the U.S. launch, we look forward to the opportunity to offer a ‘once a year solution’ for glucose control to the millions of people living with diabetes in the European union.” Acensia will distribute the Eversense 365 in German, Italy, Spain (including Andorra), Poland, Switzerland and Sweden. It launched in the U.S. in 2024.
SOS expands in Philippines
CEBU, Philippines – Strategic Office Support, which offers remote office support for billing and other back-office functions, is expanding its office space to accommodate growth. The new space, in a high-security, technology-driven business hub here, has capacity for 400 employees per shift, a secure infrastructure and training rooms. SOS has also launched a new video to offer a behind-the-scenes look at its office. “This expansion reflects both the incredible demand for our services and our unwavering commitment to providing top-tier support for our clients,” said Steve Cella, CEO. “Our people are our greatest asset, and by offering full transparency into our operations, we’re changing the way businesses think about outsourcing.”
CU completes audit
BILLINGS, Mont. – Computers Unlimited, a software development company, has completed a SOC 2 Type II audit performed by KirkpatrickPrice. This attestation provides evidence that Computers Unlimited has a strong commitment to security and to delivering high-quality services to its clients by demonstrating that it has the necessary internal controls and processes in place. “In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, data security and operational integrity are more critical than ever,” said David Schaer, president of Computers Unlimited. “Successfully completing our SOC 2 Type II audit is more than just a certification – it is a clear demonstration of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ sensitive information with the highest industry standards. This achievement underscores our dedication to continuous innovation, compliance, and trust, ensuring that our software solutions not only meet but exceed the security and reliability expectations of our customers. As cyber threats grow and regulatory demands increase, this attestation reinforces our role as a trusted technology partner, empowering businesses to operate with confidence in an increasingly complex digital environment.” A SOC 2 audit provides an independent, third-party validation that a service organization’s information security practices meet industry standards as stipulated by the AICPA.
Minnesota Senate bill seeks power standing coverage
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - A bill was introduced in the Minnesota Senate that would require health insurance plans, medical assistance and MinnesotaCare to cover power standing systems for wheelchairs. The bill, SF 974, mandates that all health plans provide this coverage without imposing additional cost-sharing requirements, review limitations or quantity restrictions beyond one system every five years. Health plans must report their costs related to this new benefit, and the commissioner will evaluate these submissions for reimbursement. The bill also amends medical assistance provisions to align with health plan coverage requirements, stipulating that compliance must not jeopardize federal funding. This is not legislation that MAMES or NCART has introduced but both associations will be monitoring it.
Adena Health, DASCO form joint venture
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – Adena Health has announced a new joint venture partnership with DASCO Home Medical Equipment to enhance home medical equipment services across south central and southern Ohio, according to local news reports. The new collaboration will be jointly owned by Adena and DASCO and will operate as Adena-DASCO Home Medical Equipment effective Feb. 18. Adena-DASCO Home Medical Equipment will specialize in respiratory equipment such as home oxygen, non-invasive ventilation, CPAP and Bilevel devices. It will also provide walkers, adjustable beds, wheelchairs, continuous glucose monitors, urological supplies, off-the-shelf orthotic supplies and more. Headquartered in Westerville, DASCO is a family operated home medical equipment provider with a long history of successful joint ventures. The company has been in business for more than 30 years, and partners with hospitals and health care systems across nine states, including Mount Carmel Health System, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and The Christ Hospital.
Breg taps Ingel as president
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Breg, Inc., a provider of orthopedic bracing and support solutions, has promoted Steve Ingel to president effective immediately. Since joining Breg in 2023, Ingel has played a crucial role in the company's growth and strategic direction. "At Breg, people and talent matter,” said Dave Mowry, chairman and CEO. “Steve's leadership, energy, and extensive experience make him the ideal partner to work alongside me as I remain CEO and we advance Breg toward our goal of market leadership. Steve's industry knowledge and personal dedication to innovation and customer-centric strategies will play heavily in strengthening Breg's position in the industry. Breg remains solely focused on bracing and supports, and under Steve's commercial leadership, has made significant strides in improving the performance of the business in short order. Along with our ownership, we have great aspirations for Breg going forward." The company says Ingel has more than 30 years of experience in multiple businesses within orthopedics and can draw on his know-how and tap into a network of experts within the space to quickly assess situations and apply the proper solution to the challenge at hand. As president, he will continue to oversee Breg's commercial initiatives while taking on expanded responsibilities to guide the company's overall strategy and growth initiatives.
Keragon receives additional funding
NEW YORK – Keragon, an AI-powered, HIPAA-compliant automation platform for health care, has raised $7.5 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round led by Upfront Ventures, with early investors Afore Capital, Focal, and 25m Health doubling down. This brings Keragon's total funding to $10.5 million. "Integrations are Keragon's backbone,” said Conno Christou, CEO & co-founder of Keragon. “Connecting complex systems at scale and bringing all the tools our customers use into one unified & compliant ecosystem is our top priority. With the comprehensive best practices gleaned across these tried-and-true workflow automations, we are now adding an agentic AI layer to guide and personalize any existing and new automation to each healthcare professional and organization." Keragon enables health care professionals to seamlessly integrate more than 300 popular software tools, including athenahealth, Healthie, Elation Health and Canvas Medical, as well as scheduling platforms, referral management systems and AI medical scribes, without any engineering required. The company says this streamlines real-time data exchange, reduces administrative burdens and safeguards patient data.
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