ARLINGTON, Va.—The American Association for Homecare is dialing up the noise about the role of home care in health care reform as the massive system overhaul whizzes through Congress.
 
The association has invited Washington press to join former Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., and other health care representatives at a Capitol Hill roundtable on Tuesday, July 2.  
 
HME leaders had widely expected Daschle, President Barack Obama’s original nominee as the nation’s health care reform czar, to support the industry throughout the reform initiative. Altmire has also been a strong industry advocate, convening a congressional hearing on the effects of competitive bidding on small business.
 
The roundtable discussion will focus on how home medical equipment and services align with the goal of expanding access to and controlling costs of medical care, according to the association. Topics will include the roles of home care in the continuum of care, the transition to post-acute care, reductions in re-hospitalization and reduction in the long-term care population in nursing homes.
 
Other roundtable participants will include Peter Thomas, Health Task Force co-chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, and Tyler Wilson, AAHomecare president.

The press event will take place at the U.S. Capitol Building.