Home-care providers take their case to Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 19, 2012—In recent weeks, many state delegations of home-care providers have visited or called lawmakers in Washington to urge them to support H.R. 6490, the bill that would replace with existing bidding system with the Market Pricing Program. Results of that hard work are visible this week: Three more Democrats and four more Republicans have signed on to the bill, bringing the total to 87. New cosponsors include:

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.)
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.)
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.)
Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.)
Rep. William Owens (D-N.Y.)
Rep. David Roe (R-Tenn.)
Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio)

Last week, the Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services ran a five-day blitz to build support for the legislation. Kam Yuricich told OAMES members, “To date, we have seven of Ohio’s 18 representatives on the bill but time is running out and we need your help to get all Ohio legislators co-sponsoring the bill.”

Legislative committee members from the Kentucky Medical Equipment Suppliers Association flew to Washington recently to meet with their delegation in Congress about H.R. 6490. AAHomecare member Thad Connally, president of First Choice Home Medical in Bowling Green, worked with AAHomecare to schedule and meet with their elected officials. Connally said he included the Association staff in the meetings since they are “working on our behalf in this matter and are on the Hill nearly every day.”

“On Tuesday, we met with Senator McConnell’s staff, Senator Lugar’s staff and personally with Senator Rand Paul. The three meetings were very productive and Senator Paul is considering additional support once CBO scores the legislation. On Wednesday, we met with Congressman Brett Guthrie personally, Congressman Ed Whitfield’s staff (Whitfield has signed on!), Congressman John Yarmuth’s staff, Congressman Todd Young of Southern Indiana, Congressman Hal Rogers’ staff, and we left information for newly elected Congressman Thomas Massie’s staff.”

Connally has made many trips to Washington and believes the relationships developed with elected officials and staff are well worth the effort.

To the HME sector, Connally says, “Take the time to go to DC and visit with your congressional delegation! Your voice is what your member of Congress wants to hear. AAHomecare is there to support you and is only as strong as its membership. Get involved. Your business and industry depend on it.”

To contact your members of Congress use the AAHomecare Action Center or call the Capitol switchboard now at 202-224-3121.