Medtrade 2009 Report: ‘We’re in the Gun Sights’

The home medical equipment industry is under full assault and, while numerous defenses are being mounted, they can only be successful with a united, concentrated grassroots effort from HME stakeholders, said Tyler J. Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare at a “Washington Update” session during Medtrade.

More than 11,500 HME stakeholders gathered at the annual conference and expo — the 30th anniversary event — Oct. 12-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Speaking to a room crowded with attendees on Oct. 14, Wilson pressed the need for providers to get politically involved if they are to save access for consumers — and their own livelihoods.

“We are straight in the gun sights of those focused on cost,” Wilson warned, ticking off such issues as DMEPOS competitive bidding, the 36-month oxygen cap, congressional proposals to eliminate the first-month purchase option for power wheelchairs and a device tax on manufacturers.

While every issue is being addressed through Capitol Hill, CMS and the media, he said, “we have a struggle before us.”

However, he also noted some good news with Florida Democrat Rep. Kendrick Meek’s introduction of a bill to repeal competitive bidding.

“It’s a critical first step to getting competitive bidding repealed. We want to make sure it’s on everyone’s radar screen,” said Wilson about H.R. 3790, adding that it will take an all-out grassroots press from providers and other stakeholders talking to their legislators to get the bill passed.

He spelled out seven key factors the industry needs to achieve to get the job done:

1. More agreement, more consensus, less fighting. “When we go to Capitol Hill, we have to go with a unified voice,” he said.
2. Adopt a broader view on how our issues fit into the overall picture in Washington.
3. Develop more allies on the Hill.
4. Get the good message of home care out to legislators and the public. “We have to convey how well-delivered home care can cut the cost of health care,” he said.
5. More grassroots activity. “We need that figure [of those involved] not to be 15 percent, but 40 percent or 60 percent.”
6. Band together to accomplish goals. “All industry groups must do a better job of working together,” he said, including everyone from AAHomecare to state and regional organizations and specialty groups.
7. Transform passion into results. “All of you can play a role in getting this to happen,” Wilson said, urging attendees to become active members of industry organizations.

In other events at the show:

• For the first time, consumers were invited to see products and talk with exhibitors on the show floor.
• In honor of Medtrade’s 30th, producer Nielsen Business Media donated $2,500 to Atlanta’s Shepherd Center, a catastrophic care hospital specializing in treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord or brain injury.
• Best Booth awards went to DeVilbiss Healthcare (over 400 square feet) and Team DME (under 400 square feet).
• AAHomecare’s Stand Up for Homecare reception, held Oct. 13 at the Georgia Aquarium, netted $60,000 for the ongoing public awareness campaign on the value of home care.

Medtrade Spring will be held May 11-13, 2010, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. For information, visit www.medtrade.com.