Tag: Advocacy
In brief: HHS workforce reduction, AAH video campaign, free sleep screenings
April 2, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a restructuring that it says will save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year through a reduction in workforce of about 10,000 full-time employees, including 300 at CMS.
When combined with the agency’s other efforts, including early retirement, the restructuring results in a total downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees.
“We aren't just reducing bureaucratic sprawl,” said...
AAH launches advocacy videos, toolkit
March 31, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has launched a new video campaign highlighting the impact of HME through the story of Brandon, a young professional and quadriplegic whose journey, the association says, is a testament to the freedom, independence and purpose that HME makes possible.
AAHomecare created two targeted video resources to help HME stakeholders showcase the industry’s value: a 4.5-minute mini documentary for consumers and the public; and a short advocacy video for payers and...
New alliance supports ‘often-overlooked public health crisis’
October 29, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Alliance for Patient Access has launched the COPD Action Alliance, a national advocacy coalition that unites stakeholders at the state and federal level through a patient-centered approach. Through its membership network, the alliance will improve awareness and education, encourage policies that elevate the COPD community, ensure patients can access appropriate care and prioritize the clinician-patient relationship. "Our goal is to help transform the way we approach COPD...
AAH details latest advocacy event
November 27, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s third “Hill Day” of the year to advocate for reimbursement relief reached 90 members of Congress, the association says.
The association, which co-hosted the event with VGM Group, focused on members of committees of jurisdiction on health care finance issues in the House of Representatives and Senate, as well as members who were not connected with in previous events.
AAHomecare says the three advocacy events this year have resulted...
CRT Fly-In registration opens
July 17, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART and NRRTS have opened registration for their 2023 Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-in scheduled for Sept. 13. “Congress plays a critical role in protecting access to CRT,” the two organizations say. “Educating them about the importance of appropriate CRT access is a message that needs to be delivered directly by CRT users, clinicians, caregivers, family members, suppliers, manufacturers and others.” There is no cost to register and participate. Once registered,...
Stakeholders push closer to new legislation
March 31, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Fresh off its latest round of Hill visits, AAHomecare is confident it will have a bill in hand to address reimbursement in time for a legislative fly-in scheduled for May, says President and CEO Tom Ryan.
The industry is again seeking to implement a 90/10 blended reimbursement rate in former competitive bidding areas and to make permanent a 75/25 blended reimbursement rate for non-bid/non-rural areas that was extended as part of a year-end spending package in December.
“What...
Networking, technology take center stage at AAHomecare update
March 29, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
DALLAS – As the saying goes, it takes a village and that was nowhere more evident than at the AAHomecare Update at Medtrade, where a panel of HME leaders shared their insights on everything from advocacy to reimbursement to e-prescribing.
The Wednesday afternoon session – a new time and format – featured Bill Guidetti of Apria, Josh Marx of Medical Service Company and Ryan Bullock of Aeroflow.
“It’s important to have a strong advocate in Washington,...
Advocacy: Dive into patient needs
March 6, 2023Ryan Bullock
Q. What is the impact of advocacy in health care?
A. As a nation with the highest health care spend per capita, there’s no shortage of discussions regarding innovation and cost reduction. As health care providers, we’re uniquely positioned to see the impact on patient lives. Our position allows us to moderate proposed solutions and our voice has the power to impact change.
Whether insurance plans have developed innovative solutions to reduce costs immediately or have...
‘CMS has got to do something’
July 29, 2022Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
TIFTON, Ga. – Tyler Riddle, a second-generation provider and “elder millennial,” says it’s never been a more important time to advocate for the HME industry.
"Things change and we’re constantly being challenged, (but) we’re highly adaptable,” said Riddle, president of MRS Homecare, a full-service provider with 12 locations covering mainly rural Georgia. “Coming out of COVID has been exciting – supply chain issues have started working...
Tomorrow Health joins Diamond program
December 7, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Tomorrow Health is expanding support for HME advocacy by becoming an AAHomecare Diamond Corporate Partner. “Tomorrow Health brings strong technological capabilities and expertise with increasingly important value-based care models to our partnership cohort,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “They are signaling their commitment to strengthening our industry’s capability to deliver public policy results that recognize the importance of quality...