WATERLOO, IA - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), visited the VGM corporate offices on Jan. 7, braving a blizzard that produced heavy winds and below-zero temperatures.
During the hour-plus meeting with the congressman, VGM executives: Jim Phillips, Ron Bendell, John Gallagher, Mike Mallaro, and Tom Powers discussed the concerns of the industry regarding competitive bidding, the 36-month oxygen cap, and the conservation of the first-month purchase option for power mobility.
“Congressman Braley stated that it is highly unlikely that H.R. 3790 or any wording on competitive bidding will be included into the Health Care Reform bill,” said Gallagher of their meeting. “He did say, however, that the best opportunity for the bill would be the ‘doc fix,’ which will be addressed in either late January or early February. Therefore it is imperative that our industry garners 150 to 200 cosponors.”
Congressman Braley also noted that he is very concerned about the economic impact of competitive bidding with the elimination of jobs, and that he is most concerned about how the program will affect the beneficiaries’ access to quality care in both rural and urban areas. He would therefore like to work with Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-N.J) Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) to address the issue in the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Momentum on H.R. 3790 Must Continue
VGM commends the industry for its remarkable efforts to earn the support of over 120 representatives for H.R. 3790. However, in order for this bill to move forward into the either the “doc fix” or another health care-related legislation, it is imperative that 150 to 200 representatives cosponsor the bill.
According to Braley, a “whole host” of issues did not get included in the Health Care Reform bill, and many will push to get those issues included into the “doc fix.” This gives the DME industry the opportunity to get the language of H.R. 3790 included as well, but it is crucial that the Congressional leadership sees that there is true interest in the bill. This is shown by the number of cosponsors, which is why the industry must garner additional cosponsors.
JAMES Discusses Competitive Bidding and Other Issues with Pallone’s Staff
On Jan. 7, the Jersey Association of Medical Equipment Services (JAMES) facilitated a legislative visit with Congressman Frank Pallone’s (D-N.J.) Legislative Director, Tiffany Guarascio. JAMES and VGM member, Allcare Medical, hosted the educational site visit at its headquarters in Sayreville, N.J. During her visit to the HME site, Guarascio joined Allcare Medical staff in a round-table discussion where they discussed industry concerns including the competitive bidding program, the 36-month oxygen cap, and the preservation of the first-month purchase option for power mobility.
“I believe that Ms. Guarascio was given an essential education in the necessary role that our member companies play in the value of homecare,” said JAMES executive director, Wendy Russalesi. “The costs involved with providing the level of service that our industry’s regulations have placed on an HME provider – costs that have gone as unrecognized by our policymakers – were largely on display for Ms. Guarascio.”
