Notable & Quotable

“Independent HME providers have been the backbone of this industry since its inception and they will continue to be in the future. HME is a service business, and the owner-operator business model provides superior service. Despite Medicare’s current attitude that it’s only about price, it’s not. Service and support will always be important.”
— Van G. Miller, founder, VGM & Associates

39% of adults in August 2005 cited costs as the most important health care problem for the government to address.

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation

12 million Estimated number of Americans who have obstructive sleep apnea

Source: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

33% Increase in the number of sports-related injuries among baby boomers between 1991 and 1998. The most common injuries resulted from years of overuse of the musculoskeletal system, reoccuring old injuries, normal wear and tear of tendons and joints, and muscle loss associated with aging.

Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Texas had the highest percentage of residents without health insurance (25.1 percent) from 2002-2004. The state with the lowest was Minnesota (8.5 percent).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

$778.6 billion Estimated net federal spending on Medicare by 2016, compared to $331.5 billion in 2006

Source: Congressional Budget Office