Fresh Start, First Steps

The power shift from the Republicans to the Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate offers the chance for a fresh start for home care in 2007. Home care lost some stalwart champions in the 2006 election. But with a good message, a reasonable package of legislative proposals and a concerted effort to increase awareness about the value of home care, we can develop solid relationships with the new members of Congress and strengthen our ability to work with returning incumbents.

Some of the new faces already are familiar to home care: home health care business owner Nick Lampson, a Democrat and former congressman, will return to office and assume Tom Delay’s old seat in the 22nd congressional district of Texas.

David Davis, a Republican, won the 1st district seat in Tennessee. Davis is a respiratory therapist who owns a medical equipment business. Davis believes home and community-based care is a way to control health care costs in the U.S.

Kentucky Democrat John Yarmuth defeated Congresswoman Anne Northup in the 3rd district, which includes Louisville. Yarmuth has worked as a consultant to a home care company.

That’s a good start. But success in the 110th Congress will mean getting as many of the 535 members of the House and Senate as possible up to speed on our issues. With Democrats taking control of both chambers next year, the key players have changed significantly. During the 109th Congress, Democrats were in effect frozen out of the process on many committees, particularly the House Ways and Means Committee. Starting in January, Democratic members and Democratic staffs will be calling the shots for the first time in 12 years.

The powerful Ways and Means Committee will see one of the most dramatic transitions in power and membership. In addition to the retirement of Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., the current chairman, more than a half dozen Republicans on Ways and Means are leaving office, including two senior committee members, Clay Shaw of Florida and Nancy Johnson of Connecticut. Because of the change in party control, the Democrats will have more representation and more committee staff than the Republicans.

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., will chair the Ways and Means Committee when Congress returns in January. He has pledged to work with the home care community, and he has also said he will invite more bipartisan interaction on the Committee during the 110th Congress. AAHomecare, the New York Medical Equipment Providers Association and other home care groups have worked with Rep. Rangel and his staff, and I think we can look forward to constructive dialogue in the months ahead on the many thorny issues confronting home care.

All of the bills we have been working on will expire at the end of this month as the 109th Congress adjourns. Any of the bills that we want to pursue during the next two years in the 110th Congress will have to be reintroduced once the new Congress convenes in January.

In addition to legislative priorities, members of Congress play an important role in regulatory challenges. During recent efforts to correct and improve the fee schedules for power mobility devices, AAHomecare and many of the companies that are mobility stakeholders were able to generate letters from members of Congress to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt and to CMS urging a review of the fee schedules.

Looking into the coming year, we have a real and new opportunity to work with the fresh faces in Congress regarding new directions for home care policy. Once the transition dust settles in Washington by mid-January, we hope all home care stakeholders will begin conversations with their members of both the Senate and House, whether new or returning, and begin that process of educating and informing them about the valuable role served by our industry and the challenges we’re encountering.

This process doesn’t have to wait until you visit Washington. In fact, take a first step and reach out to your senators and House members with a call or letter early in the New Year.

Tyler J. Wilson is president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare, Alexandria, Va. He may be reached by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information about the association, visit www.aahomecare.org.