ATLANTA, Oct. 18, 2012—Opportunity and urgency collided on day two of Medtrade, with Tyler Wilson, president of AAHomecare, asking attendees at the organization’s Washington Update to “become zealots” for HR 6490, the House Bill to replace competitive bidding with the market pricing program (MPP).
“There is no tomorrow,” said Wilson. “This [MPP] is our last best chance to stop competitive bidding. We must redouble our efforts. We have a small window culminating in a lame duck session in December. We need all of you to leave here and become zealots for HR 6490.”
Joel Marx, chairman of AAHomecare, reminded attendees that AAHomecare recently reduced its dues and now is the best time to join. “We made our staff leaner, and in some cases meaner,” said Marx. “For less than $50 per month, you can join the organization that represents your needs in Washington.”
Alex Vogel, a lobbyist working with AAHomecare, agreed that the lame duck session represented an opportunity to “piggyback” HR 6490 to some other legislation. That other legislation would likely be a remedy to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff” that mandates $1.2 trillion in budget cuts—part of which includes Medicare reimbursement for physicians. The physician lobby has responded with “doc fixes” in the past, and this year could yield a similar effort.
As for the lack of a Senate companion bill, Vogel said it was likely not a problem if the industry can garner ample support in the House. “I am less concerned about a Senator putting his name on it,” said Vogel. “The question is, ‘Can we get this included in that doc fix conversation?’ There is no Senator who is going to kill the doc fix because of this [MPP’s inclusion].”
Robert Steedley, the soon-to-be chairman of AAHomecare, gave out the number for the Capitol switchboard—202-224-3121—encouraging every provider to call and ask for support of HR 6490. “Share this number with everybody that works for you and works with you,” said Steedley, president, Barnes Healthcare Services, Valdosta, Ga. “Don’t be afraid. It’s not difficult. It’s pretty much now or never. The fight is on and we need your commitment and passion.” Learn more at www.aahomecare.org.
