ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 30, 2012—U.S. Congressman Tom Price of Georgia made a special speaking appearance at a welcome reception hosted by MK Battery prior to the opening of Medtrade 2012. Also speaking were industry leaders from NCART, NRRTS and AAHomecare. Special guests attending included HME industry executives and representatives of nine national nonprofit health care advocacy organizations who were there to take part in the tradeshow’s first-ever Consumer Advocacy Pavilion, also sponsored by MK Battery in cooperation with Medtrade.
Congressman Price provided an update to his H.R. 6490 bill that amends the current law to establish a Market Pricing Program as a replacement for the Competitive Bidding Program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies under part B of the Medicare program. He called on all in attendance to return to their districts and solicit more congressional sponsors for the bill.
“The Consumer Advocacy Pavilion was the newest addition to MK Battery’s Power for Funding campaign, now in its third year,” said Wayne Merdinger, vice president of business development and international sales for MK Battery. “The inclusion of these advocacy groups at Medtrade allowed the HME industry to raise awareness, share ideas and, hopefully, speak with a louder voice for a more collective approach to advancing positive legislative outcomes.”
The participating groups included American Sleep Apnea Association, COPD Foundation, ITEM Coalition (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid), Muscular Dystrophy Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Shepherd Center/Touch the Future, United Cerebral Palsy and UsersFirst (a program of United Spinal Association).
In addition to the $150,000 donated to industry groups over the past two years, MK Battery, together with their co-sponsors, contributed nearly $50,000 directly to these consumer groups in presentations made right on the show floor this year. “We really appreciated being part of the inaugural Consumer Advocacy Pavilion and your contribution will certainly help UsersFirst continue their grassroots efforts to help get appropriate equipment for people with disabilities,” wrote Ann Eubank, vice president of community initiatives for UsersFirst. Medtrade Group Show Director Kevin Gaffney stated that “A special thanks to MK Battery for their passion to support the industry through the Power for Funding initiative and the new Medtrade Advocacy Pavilion.”
MK Battery markets sealed batteries for power mobility equipment and a variety of other applications through OEMs, distributors and dealers. For more information visit www.mkbattery.com.
