Legislative
NYMEP Forms Coalition to Fight Cut for Dual Eligibles: In
its ongoing battle to block a state budget cut that would reduce
Medicaid reimbursement for individuals dually eligible for Medicaid
and Medicare, the New York Medical Equipment Providers association
has joined forces with 11 consumer health care advocacy groups,
including the American Lung Association, the Center for Disability
Rights, the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, the
United Ostomy Association and others.
Dubbing their campaign “unintended consequences,”
the coalition last month published an open letter in the state's
Legislative Gazette, which is “widely read by state
policy-writers,” according to Jacqueline Negri, NYMEP's
executive director. The letter explained that cutting
reimbursements for dually eligible beneficiaries will have
far-reaching negative consequences. “This cut will put the
poor elderly and people with disabilities…at risk of losing
access to equipment and supplies which permit full independence and
which, in many cases, are life-sustaining,” the letter
said.
Restoring the reimbursement cut would cost only $800,000, which
is “a rounding error in the $90 billion plus [state]
budget,” the letter concluded.
In other NYMEP news, the association has elected a new
board-of-directors president: Gloria Murray, member service
representative for VGM & Associates.
Training & Certification
NHIA Develops Certification for Home Infusion
Pharmacists: The National Home Infusion Association,
Alexandria, Va., has developed a national certificate program for
home infusion pharmacists — a program the association hopes
will become “the primary training vehicle for all pharmacists
entering home infusion practice.” The first of a series of
training modules now is available. Six additional modules will be
available later this year. Providers interested in registering may
visit
target="_blank">www.nhianet.org/education/certprogram.html.
VMI Develops Dealer Training Program: Phoenix-based
Vantage Mobility International has launched the VMI Certified
Mobility Consultant program, a video training series designed to
provide sales training to dealers of VMI products. According to VMI
officials, the program “exhibits the skills sets needed to be
successful in selling to the changing customer by identifying the
necessary steps in the selling process.” VMI plans for the
program to be the first in a series of training programs for its
dealers.
Noteworthy
AAHomecare Retains Lobbying Firm: As beneficiaries face
possible new cuts in Medicare funding, the American Association for
Homecare, Alexandria, Va., has retained Patton Boggs as its
principal lobbying firm for home health care matters. Martha
Kendrick will serve as lead lobbyist.
CareCentric's Net Earnings: The March 17 edition of
HomeCare Monday incorrectly reported CareCentric's net
earnings. The story should have said, “CareCentric reported a
net profit for the year ended Dec. 31, 2002, of
$293,000.”
Coram Files Reorganization Plan: Denver-based Coram
Healthcare, a national home infusion company that has been in
bankruptcy for nearly three years, filed a reorganization plan with
the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware May 2. A
court hearing for the trustee's disclosure statement was scheduled
to take place take place June 5, 2003.
For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service
of the home medical equipment industry.