At the Head of the Troops

For more than 12 years — and 25 if you count his experience in policy-making positions at various local, state and federal levels — David T. Williams has devoted his career to changing governmental policy for the benefit of home medical equipment providers, manufacturers and consumers. His co-workers and peers say Williams ranks among “the best minds in the industry” when it comes to developing and implementing strategies to influence the regulatory and legislative processes that govern the industry.

And it is for his deep commitment to the industry that judges of HomeCare‘s HomeCaring Awards for 2003 chose Williams as a recipient of the honor.

While much of his involvement takes place behind the scenes, in one clear example of his personal diligence, Williams sought the help of some of his many friends in Congress to get the Patient Choice/DME Upgrade provisions included in the Balanced Budget Act of 1999. When HCFA (now CMS) was dragging its feet on implementing rules for the provision, Williams began meeting one-on-one with senior officials. As a result, the upgrade provision was included in the Advanced Beneficiary Notice regulations.

Williams is a firm believer in the fact that the best way to build relationships with regulators and legislators is to visit their offices frequently, not just when their help is needed. In his position as Invacare’s director of government relations, Williams made regular trips to Washington and Baltimore to meet with members of Congress and officials at CMS to educate them on the benefits of home care and HME services.

Commenting on Williams’ HomeCaring Award, Invacare Chairman and CEO Mal Mixon said, “I am not surprised that David has been singled out for this recognition. His ‘can-do’ attitude and his dedication to the industry make him a natural choice.”

Williams is a member of the Board of Directors, the Legislative Policy Committee and the Regulatory Committee of the American Association for Homecare.

He served as the first executive director of the Rehab and Assistive Technology Council of AAHomecare and remains a member of the executive committee of the Council. He has also served on the boards of the New York Medical Equipment Providers association (NYMEP), the New England Medical Equipment Dealers association (NEMED) and as a member of the Legislative Committee of the Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services (OAMES).

In addition to his activities in the HME industry, Williams serves on the board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and is an active volunteer in local and state politics. While he has recently retired from Invacare, Williams remains involved with the company as a legislative strategist, focusing on rehab and involving consumers in advocating for issues important to the HME industry.

According to the HomeCaring Award judges, “We cannot identify any single person who has done more for our industry than David Williams. He is at the head of the troops.”

Chosen from nominations sent in by readers and judged by a panel of industry professionals, HomeCare’s HomeCaring Award is given in recognition of distinguished service to the HME industry. HomeCare is proud to acknowledge the talent, dedication and generous spirit of those who make the HME community a better place, and who demonstrate the caring that HME is all about.