Notable & Quote

Who says building relationships with legislators doesn’t work? Check out these remarks from HME champion Sen. Pat Roberts, speaking at the American Association for Homecare’s Washington Legislative Conference in March:

“Many years ago, Velma Goertzen invited me to her home health shop in Hutchinson, Kan. It was one of my first health care visits … and it had a dramatic impact on me and made me a true believer in the importance of home health care.

“Velma took me on one of her visits to an elderly patient, and it was when she was earnestly listening to the patient, asking how she was feeling … that the light bulb came on and I realized how valuable the personal touch of the home health industry is for a senior. This is especially true for a senior who may live alone or out in the country miles away from a local hospital or doctor’s office. The local home health provider is the only provider in the health care delivery system that is going to a patient’s home and checking in to make sure he or she is doing ok.”

Roberts went on to say, “All of you here today know that your industry is under attack. We have a perfect storm brewing. Home oxygen patients and providers are about to undergo tremendous change in the next several months due to the implementation of the competitive bidding program, which we all know has created confusion and exasperation among home health providers. Next January will also bring the end of certain monthly oxygen provider payments, and the transfer of equipment ownership to thousands of seniors.

“More disturbing is that the administration and some in Congress don’t feel that these massive changes are enough. They are coming after your industry again by proposing drastic cuts to home oxygen, nationwide rollout of the competitive bidding program and possible freezes of your annual Medicare payments. Well, I am here to tell you that I am doing everything I can to make sure this doesn’t happen.”