H.R. 3790 Continues Gains

WASHINGTON — Last week, HME proponents continued the push
on H.R. 3790 to repeal competitive bidding.

As of Friday, the bill had garnered 64 cosponsors, up from the
original 16. The bill was introduced Oct. 13 by Rep. Kendrick Meek,
D-Fla.

Among the new signers was Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., a breast
cancer survivor who has successfully championed other medical
legislation, according to Beth Bowen, executive director of NCAMES,
North Carolina’s state association. Myrick is among six of the
state’s 13-member congressional delegation who are supporting the
bill.

While H.R. 3790 would reduce Medicare reimbursements to HME
providers, it would also allow them to keep their doors open, its
backers point out.

“I’ve been in business for 26 years, built up a loyal clientele,
gotten good at my craft,” said provider Bill Griffin, among 70
attendees at an Oct. 29 seminar in Charlotte, N.C., the fourth in a
series of NCAMES sessions on the Round 1 rebid. “Now all that’s in
jeopardy due to misguided government bureaucracy.”

Numerous industry organizations are urging all HME stakeholders
to ask their representatives to sign on to the proposed
legislation. To contact your representative about H.R. 3790, call
the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202/224-3121. The operator will
connect you directly to your congressman’s office using your ZIP
code.

Background and talking points for H.R. 3790 can be found
here.

The full text of H.R. 3790 can be found here.

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