Thomas Takes On New Role in DC

Washington

Bill Thomas, former chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and a long-time foe of the HME industry, has signed on as a visiting fellow of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research.

Thomas, considered the father of the cap on Medicare oxygen reimbursement, joined the conservative think tank as a scholar on tax, health care and other policies.

“We are very proud to welcome Bill Thomas to the AEI team,” said Christopher DeMuth, president. “Both his intellect and his vast legislative experience will be an enormous asset to AEI.”

Industry stakeholders were less enthusiastic.

“He certainly has been a problem for the HME community regarding understanding of home care costs and services,” said Bob Achermann, executive director of the California Association of Medical Product Suppliers.

Added AAHomecare’s Michael Reinemer, “Mr. Thomas is still a force to be reckoned with. He won’t have the same direct power he wielded as Ways and Means chair, but at AEI, he will probably influence the way members of Congress and the administration approach issues such as Medicare.

“I suspect his zeal to ‘reform’ entitlement programs has not diminished since leaving office.”