AAHomecare Set to Storm the Hill

WASHINGTON–Propelled perhaps by the fact that the HME industry
is in a state of crisis unparalleled in its history, twice as many
providers as in previous years have so far registered for the
American Association for Homecare’s annual Legislative Conference,
set for June 5-7.

The conference comes as the industry is being bombarded by
competitive bidding, the Deficit Reduction Act’s 36-month oxygen
rental cap, vastly changed mobility policies and a host of other
issues, not to mention rapidly declining reimbursements.

Last week in its newsletter, AAHomecare reported that Rep. Pete
Stark, D-Calif., chair of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on
Health, noted the likelihood of “across-the-board” cuts to Medicare
providers in all sectors unless the providers help by identifying
what to cut. “It’s going to be a busy summer,” Stark said.

But Michael Reinemer, the association’s vice president of
communications and policy, said he is encouraged by response to the
upcoming conference. “It’s a very positive trend compared to recent
years,” he said. “More people understand two things: 1) what’s at
stake in terms of home care policy decisions made in Washington;
and 2) the growing realization that home care can achieve progress
when everyone pitches in and puts their shoulders into a unified
effort.”

Sen. Arlen Specter and CMS Acting Deputy Administrator Herb Kuhn
are among those speaking at the event. Attendees will also have the
chance to meet with their state’s federal legislators in a lobbying
day on Capitol Hill.

“We will push hard for changes to the competitive bidding
program, chiefly via the Tanner-Hobson bill, H.R. 1845, and we will
push for repeal of the Deficit Reduction Act changes to oxygen
policy via the Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act, H.R. 621,”
Reinemer said. “We expect to achieve expanded support for these
priorities and make significant progress in educating members of
Congress, especially some of the new members, about our
issues.”

The Tanner-Hobson bill would allow eligible providers who do not
win bids in CMS’ competitive bidding project to continue to service
Medicare beneficiaries at the bid rate. The HOPP bill would repeal
the rental cap on home oxygen and allow providers to retain
ownership of the equipment.

“We’d like to get providers and manufacturers to bring patients
again this year if possible,” said Reinemer. “Teaming up providers
with some of their home care patients is a very good way to convey
the importance of home care policies to members of Congress.”

Conference participants can attend briefing sessions on the
issues as well as on how to lobby legislators effectively, he
said.

“I hope we get a big turnout,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare chair
and president and CEO of Homecare Concepts in Farmingdale, N.Y. “If
we can’t get the industry to turn out now, that’s pretty amazing
… Now is the time.”

For more information about the conference, visit www.aahomecare.org.