Tag: Lobbying
Capitol Hill or bust: NCART, U.S. Rehab emphasize ‘real issue’
July 12, 2024Tracy Orzel
WASHINGTON - NCART and U.S. Rehab are set to host an in-person legislative day on Sept. 24 to address the economic challenges of being a complex rehab technology provider and to advocate for H.R. 5371, a bill that would improve access to titanium and carbon manual wheelchairs.
Given the current political upheaval and the unpredictable environment created by the ongoing presidential race, strategic engagement in Washington, D.C., has become increasingly important, stakeholders say.
"Taking...
NCART: Save the date for legislative day
June 3, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART and U.S. Rehab will host an in-person legislative day in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24. The event will focus on educating members of Congress about the current economic issues challenging NCART members as they focus on providing equipment and services to consumers. It will also focus on H.R. 5371, the “Choices for Increased Mobility Act,” which would allow consumers to pay out-of-pocket for their choice of manual wheelchair. The two organizations say to stay tuned...
Will you show up?
November 10, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
AAHomecare and VGM will host another virtual lobbying day next week, on Nov. 13, to help push reimbursement relief bills in the House of Representatives and Senate across the finish line before Congress wraps up its work for the year.
The event will build on AAHomecare’s annual Washington Legislative Conference, which took place less than two months prior, on Sept. 20.
Managing Editor Theresa Flaherty and I can’t swear by it, but we haven’t seen...
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...
Thune discusses challenges with HME providers
June 30, 2022HME News Staff
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., met with MAMES members in Sioux Falls, S.D., on June 29 to discuss the critical issues facing the HME industry.
Members, as well as executives from AAHomecare and The VGM Group, discussed critical staffing shortages, cost increases and surcharges, flawed reimbursement rates and burdensome documentation requirements.
“Sen. Thune spent an hour listening to MAMES members explain how they were an integral part of the health care...
Quinlan’s Pharmacy hosts candidate
November 23, 2021HME News Staff
MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. – Quinlan’s Pharmacy in November hosted an event with Joe Sempolinksi, who is running to replace Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., who is not seeking another term in 2022. John Quinlan and other stakeholders discussed their concerns, including the need to extend reimbursement for non-rural and rural areas, and to establish new rates for competitive bid areas due to increased costs of equipment, PPE, surcharges and labor. “I was very impressed with candidate Sempolinski...
AAH adds lobbying muscle
August 9, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has retained The Nickels Group, a Washington, D.C., lobbying firm, to bolster the association’s ability to engage Capitol Hill and federal agencies overseeing health care policy. TNG, which has strong contacts and experience working with CMS, HHS and OMB, recently added Brett Baker, the former health policy director for the Senate Finance Committee, to its roster. “I had the privilege of working with AAHomecare during my 10 years on Capitol Hill – first...
Stakeholders: Get in front of lawmakers in August
July 16, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
PHOENIX – When Congress breaks for recess next month, the industry needs to prime the pump for the fall, said John Gallagher, vice president of government relations for VGM, at Medtrade West.
“It’s time for the August of Action,” he said during a legislative update at that the show. “They’ll have the infrastructure package behind them, so when they come back, they will be dealing with issues related to Medicare and health care, so reach out to them while...
NCART, NRRTS announce virtual fly-in
July 12, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART and NRRTS will host a Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-in on Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of National CRT Awareness Week. “Every year we hold a CRT-focused Washington, D.C., event that keeps CRT advocates connected with Capitol Hill to talk about issues impacting access for people with disabilities,” NCART stated in an announcement. “We’re excited to offer the opportunity to deliver these important messages without asking attendees to leave...