AAHomecare urges providers to push for Market Pricing Program

The American Association for Homecare last week urged providers to continue to push for the Market Pricing Program (MPP).

“Make sure your members of Congress are aware of the dangerous problems created by the competitive bidding program,’’ the association said in a release. “More than 30 disability and consumer groups, 244 economists, and 166 Representatives in the House oppose the bidding program.”

MPP was created on the basis of fundamentals espoused by economists who design auctions, and would lead to market pricing for home medical equipment, without the catastrophic effects of the current bidding program.

MPP needs to receive a cost analysis, or score, from the Congressional Budget Office so it’s important for lawmakers to urge their respective party leadership to press for that. A score will increase the likelihood that MPP receives serious consideration in Congress.

Key congressional leadership by party includes Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., for Senate Democrats; Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for Senate Republicans, Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, for House Republicans, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for House Democrats.