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Thanks to providers and industry stakeholders who attended the AAHomecare Legislative Conference or who made phone calls this week, H.R. 3790 is up to 162 co-sponsors. The new co-sponsors include:
- Rep. Leonard Boswell (DEM - IA)
- Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (REP - MD)
- Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (REP - MI)
- Rep. David Scott (DEM - GA)
- Rep. Sam Graves (REP - MO)
- Rep. Gerry Connolly (DEM - VA)
For a current list of H.R. 3790 co-sponsors, click here.
H.R. 2373, the HOPP Act, is also gaining momentum. For a current list of H.R. 2373 co-sponsors, click here.
Once again, VGM applauds the industry’s efforts to fight competitive bidding and to repeal the oxygen cap. Be sure that you are following up with your members of Congress on the DME issues, especially those who have not yet signed onto either bill.
Reminder: Please remember to thank your congressperson if he/she has signed onto one or both of the bills.
Below are photos from the Fly-In with VGM Associates and Ms. Wheelchair Iowa.
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VGM Executives and Iowa DME providers with Congressman Latham.
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VGM Executives; Iowa DME providers and Ms. Wheelchair Iowa, Angie Plager, with Sen. Harkin’s staff.
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VGM Executives; Iowa DME providers and Ms. Wheelchair Iowa, Angie Plager, with Sen. Braley.
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VGM Executives; Iowa DME providers and Ms. Wheelchair Iowa, Angie Plager, with Sen. Grassley.
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VGM’s John Gallagher and Kelly Turner with Ms. Wheelchair Iowa, Angie Plager, and Congressman Meek.
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The following is a message from AMEPA:
GAMES Members Converge on Washington!Earlier this week, a delegation of GAMES members joined the over 200 Home Medical Equipment Suppliers attending AAHomecare's Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. The conference featured numerous "Washington Insider" speakers, elected officials, tips on lobbying, and great networking events. All of this culminated with Wednesday's march to the Hill! GAMES members met with all 13 representatives and both senators from Georgia. We asked these elected officials to help us and our patients put an end to Medicare (suicide) Bidding and support HR3790. We also asked them to protect Home Oxygen patients by signing on to HR2373, the bill to end the Oxygen Cap and restore the benefit through the period of medical need. Emboldened by the support of additional GAMES members at home, we also requested that the first month purchase option for power mobility be preserved!
GAMES also included brief notes of its members’ experiences. To view them, click here.
We can drive 55!
HR3790, Congressman Kendrick Meek's bill to repeal the DMEPOS bidding program, now has 162 co-sponsors. Including Congressman Meek, the bill has 163 supporters and only 55 more are needed for a majority in the House.
The last 55 will be the hardest to achieve because these legislators are aware that their votes may be the ones that push this bill through. If you have never gotten involved, now is the time to contact AMEPA or your state association to find out how to get your legislators onboard. See the details below.
New co-sponsors include Sam Graves (R-MO), who is the Ranking Member and co-chair of the Small Business Committee. Other additions are from Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan and Virginia. Thanks to the respective associations who went to Washington earlier this week.
If your legislator is not on the list (click here), then they need to hear from you! |
