>MIAMI — The Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America celebrated its first anniversary on Friday. It was on April 10, 2008, that "over 150 providers, manufacturers and industry representatives met at the Fort Lauderdale Sheraton to work together to stop competitive bidding from beginning July 1," said Rob Brant, AMEPA president, in marking the association's birthday. A year hence, he noted, once again "the interim final rule of competitive bidding is upon us."
But the association has come a long way, Brant said. "Last March at AAHomecare's Fly-in, only five providers from Florida and Texas were represented. Recently, 21 providers from Florida and Texas traveled to Washington to meet legislators and inform them that the interim final rule will still harm patients and communities."