WASHINGTON—Two priority home medical equipment (HME) bills will be considered by the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee on Wednesday, Nov. 15:
- H.R. 5555: legislation to extend the 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate in non-CB areas and provide a 90/10 rate in CB areas.
- H.R. 5371: legislation to allow upgrade within a code for carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs, are also included in the bill
The American Association For Homecare (AAHC) encouraged HME advocates who are represented by members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to send an email to health care committee staffers with the message below, supporting one or both of its priority legislative measures.
"Use your own words where possible, and also share any personal perspective about how these measures will benefit your company and the patients you serve," AAHC said in a released statement.
Supporting message:
Please support legislation sought by the DME community in Wednesday’s Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee mark-up.
Congress must address out-of-date DME Medicare payment rates. Please support H.R. 5555, which provides much-needed relief for DME suppliers through 2024 and will send a message to CMS that a longer-term, market-based rate making solution is needed to ensure patient access to cost-effective home-based care.
Medicare beneficiaries should have the choice to pay for a titanium or carbon fiber upgrade to their manual wheelchair. Please support H.R. 5371, legislation that would enable upgrades within a code, offering benefits to end users at no additional cost to CMS.
See issue briefs for H.R. 5555 and H.R. 5371 for more information.
Members of the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Include:
Republicans
Democrats
Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY) - Chair
Rep. Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA) - Ranking Member
Rep. Larry Bucshon (IN) - Vice Chair
Rep. John Sarbanes (MD)
Rep. Michael Burgess (TX)
Rep. Tony Cardenas (CA)
Rep. Bob Latta (OH)
Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA)
Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA)
Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI)
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL)
Rep. Annie Kuster (NH)
Rep. Bill Johnson (OH)
Rep. Robin Kelly (IL)
Rep. Richard Hudson (NC)
Rep. Nanette Barragan (CA)
Rep. Buddy Carter (GA)
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE)
Rep. Neal Dunn (FL)
Rep. Angie Craig (MN)
Rep. Greg Pence (IN)
Rep. Kim Schrier (WA)
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX)
Rep. Lori Trahan (MA)
Rep.John Joyce (PA)
Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ)
Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN)
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA)
Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA)
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA)
The full list of measures set for consideration by the Health Subcommittee can be found here.
Contact Gordon Barnes at gordonb@aahomecare.org for contact info for healthcare staffers for these members or any other Senators or Representatives, or for assistance in crafting and delivering your message.
