AAHomecare Issues ‘Call to Arms’

ARLINGTON, Va.–On Tuesday, the day after CMS issued its final
rule on competitive bidding for Medicare DMEPOS business, the
American Association for Homecare put out an appeal to the industry
in general to “stand up for home care” and join its ranks.

In the form of an open letter signed by more than two dozen
providers and manufacturers, reflecting a full range of its members
in terms of size, types of services and equipment, and geographic
distribution, the association’s “call to arms” reads:

Dear Colleague:

It’s time to stand up for home care.

The continuing assaults on home care by Congress, the
administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) have reached a point where the home care community absolutely
must fight back with a unified voice. With a new Congress, it is a
perfect opportunity for our entire industry to become fully engaged
and to sharpen our advocacy.

We have seen progress toward collaboration across the home care
sectors. The industry can be proud of a growing number of true
champions in the House and Senate who understand the value of home
care and what is at stake when the nation’s home care
infrastructure is weakened.

But we still have a long way to go. Unless we unite and speak in
a loud voice for better home care policy in Washington, we’re in
danger of seeing further erosion in the benefits and a severe
access problem for patients.

So we are asking you to take one simple step toward
strengthening home care for America: Enhance the indusry’s
credibility and clout by joining the American Association for
Homecare.

By joining AAHomecare, you support and reinforce the leading
voice for home care. The association represents you on Capitol Hill
and before CMS and other federal agencies. AAHomecare is your
lobbyist and your chief advocate. The association commissions
important research that shapes the critical reimbursement policies
coming out of Washington. It is a member-driven organization so
your active participation and contributions to AAHomecare’s
political efforts promote greater credibility and muscle for the
industry.

It is widely understood that home care is the most
cost-effective and preferred setting for health care in the United
States. In a perfect world, that would translate into sound policy
for home care. But to be heard in Washington, our industry must
invest in AAHomecare and support our political efforts.

We urge you to join AAHomecare and get involved in the
organization that is your voice in Washington. For details, call
Cheryl Bass-Briscoe at AAHomecare at (703) 535-1882, or e-mail
AAHomecare President Tyler Wilson at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Access Diabetic Supply, Pompano Beach, FL
Advanced Home Care, High Point, NC
Air Products Healthcare, Conshohocken, PA
AirSep Corporation, Buffalo, NY
American HomePatient, Brentwood, TN
Apria Healthcare Group, Lake Forest, CA
Associated Healthcare Systems, Buffalo, NY
DeFeliceCare, Inc., Wheeling, WV
Homecare Concepts Inc., Farmingdale, NY
Hoveround Corporation, Sarasota, FL
Inogen, Goleta, CA
Invacare Corporation, Elyria, OH
Landauer Metropolitan, Mt. Vernon, NY
Lincare Holdings Inc., Clearwater, FL
The MED Group, Lubbock, TX
New England Medical Equipment Dealers Assn.
Pacific Pulmonary Services, Novato, CA
Praxair Healthcare Services, Inc, Danbury, CT
Premier Home Care, Inc., Louisville, KY
Pride Mobility Products, Exeter, PA
ResMed, Poway, CA
Respironics, Inc., Murrysville, PA
Seeley Medical, Andover, OH
Sunrise Medical Inc., Carlsbad, CA
VGM & Associates, Waterloo, IA
WestMed Rehab, Inc., Rapid City, SD

Last month, the association announced it would drop its Home
Health Council to focus exclusively on HME.

“HME benefits are again targets for federal budget cuts and
require undivided attention from the association in terms of
government affairs, research, public relations and grassroots
activities,” said Tom Ryan, CEO of Homecare Concepts and AAHomecare
chair.

With 600 members operating 3,000 locations, the seven-year-old
association will begin work on a formal response to CMS’ final rule
at a board meeting set for tomorrow, according to Michael Reinemer,
vice president, communications and policy.

For more on the association’s efforts, visit www.aahomecare.org.