WASHINGTON (July 24, 2014)—The American Association for Homecare Board of Directors has extended the ongoing consumer communications campaign, Save My Medical Supplies (SMMS), through the end of this year. Launched in April, the pilot campaign produced 5,500 letters in just 90 days asking Congress to reform poor Medicare policies. “One of our core responsibilities as health care providers is to educate patients and help them understand they are their best advocate,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “We’re all in this fight together, and engaging the people we serve in the legislative process—along with their families, friends and caregivers—is how we win.” The campaign is managed by Lisa Wells of Get Social Consulting, Anna McDevitt of Laboratory Marketing and Beth Ludwick of AAHomecare. SMSS engages people through content that they can relate to their lifestyle, conditions and the home medical equipment supplies and services that are an essential part of their days. The website and Facebook page tie together educational content with the Medicare policies that are impacting access to care. These lead to direct call-to-action links asking consumers to send letters to Congress in support of better Medicare policies. The SMMS Facebook page also provides messages of hope and encouragement to its 3,331 followers. In addition to the thousands of letters sent to Congress, part of the decision to continue the program comes from the strong support of the HME industry. National companies Apria and Pride Mobility have included SMMS links on their websites. Medtrade has spread the word through links on their website and newsletter. State associations including GAMES, ADMEA, NYMEP, JAMES, OAMES and MAMES have also shown their support by keeping members informed about how to get their patients involved in the campaign. “Social media is the new frontier for the fight against the Medicare bidding program,” said Kamela Yuricich, Executive Director, Ohio Association of Medical Equipment and Great Lakes Home Medical Services Association. “It’s time we get personal and let home care patients and their families tell their stories and reveal the real impact of bidding on their health care. I encourage all of us to use this campaign to focus the spotlight on this broken program, not simply because it’s bad public policy and needs fixed from a practical sense, but in compassionate terms it’s harming our patients and destroying quality home care services that are vital to a strong health care system in the future,” said Yurich. SMMS will continue to provide consumers with timely information about DMEPOS-related legislation and, through the end of the year, will ask for support regarding binding bids legislation H.R. 4920. To learn more about the program and send letters to Congress, please visit savemymedicalsupplies.org/take-action. The American Association for Homecare represents providers of home medical or durable medical equipment and services who serve the needs of millions of Americans who require prescribed oxygen therapy, wheelchairs, enteral feeding and other medical equipment, services and supplies at home. Visit aahomecare.org.
Monday, August 4, 2014
